Speed data highlights safety message

It is appalling that more than 400 drivers were pinged during 2017 travelling above the speed limit in a school zone – particularly those penalised for going twice the speed limit.

School zones are in place for a reason and that's because some of the most vulnerable road users need protection.

The ACT government is rolling out a trial of school crossing supervisors from term one next year as another measure to help improve safety for school kids.

That the authorities need to consider such a thing is a concern given that pedestrian crossings by their very nature are supposed to be safe and enable right of way to walkers.

But it makes some sense in light of the data showing just how much speeding is going on around schools in the territory.

It must be noted that there appears to be some improvement in the past three years from a whopping 827 fines handed out in 2014 to slightly more than 400 in 2017.

Given it is safe to assume that the police are not patrolling these areas less it must be an indication of some positive driver behaviour.

The ACT of course has different rules to NSW which could conceivably confuse a minority of drivers. Indeed some argue that reducing the speed limit to 40km/h between 8am and 4pm is overkill when over the border the limit applies to two time windows at the start and end of the school day.

This is no excuse of course.

As we all know just a split second of inattention on the road can change lives forever.

It is timely given the start of the school holidays this weekend in the ACT for a reminder about safety on the road. While speed can not be attributed to be the reason behind all fatalities on our roads it is a contributing factor to many.

Fatigue is also a factor and one that is common at this time of year with stressed and tired people hitting the region for an escape. As many head off on highways for family Christmas events or down to the south coast for some beach time please stay safe on our roads.