'This number should be zero': Hundreds of drivers caught speeding in Canberra's school zones | Region Canberra

“School zones have been in place for decades, so there is no excuse for speeding in a school zone where our most vulnerable road users are.”

That’s the message from ACT Policing Road and Proactive Policing Detective Superintendent Alex Nicolson as 40 km/h school zone limits come back online for the 2026 school year.

In 2025, 264 fines and 47 cautions were issued to motorists caught speeding in school zones.

Det Supt Nicolson said the speed limit in school zones gave motorists extra time to stop in an unexpected situation.

“Children are some of our most vulnerable road users, and their size and unpredictability expose them to significant risk around roads,” he said.

“Unfortunately, last year, 311 drivers were caught by police speeding in school zones.

“This number should be zero.”

Penalties are greater for people caught speeding in school zones.

In one case, a then-44-year-old Kaleen woman was detected at 89 km/h.

She was fined $2136 and had her licence suspended for six months.

“It is disappointing that drivers continue to gamble with children’s lives by speeding in school zones,” Det Supt Nicolson said.

“Slow down, pay attention, and don’t take that risk.”

Parents and carers have also been encouraged to remind children about road safety, teaching them to stop, look, listen and think each time they cross the road.

Det Supt Nicolson said it was up to everyone to make sure busy school areas were as safe as possible.

“If everybody abides by the road rules and takes a few extra seconds when driving through school zones, all children will arrive and leave school safely.”