Shepparton police are targeting poor driver and pedestrian behaviour in local school zones, as students return to classrooms for term three.
Drivers are being urged to slow down as police focus on enforcement of the 40km/h speed limit during peak times at school drop-off and pick-up.
Shepparton police Acting Sergeant Karyn Murtagh said the traffic operation was in response to general complaints and issues around pedestrian safety and drivers not obeying school zone rules.
“Our main concern is student safety, so keep an eye out especially around primary schools; young children can be unpredictable,” Sgt Murtagh said.
“For parents, holding your child’s hand when crossing the road or exiting the vehicle, and where practicable making sure children are exiting the vehicle on the curbside.”
Police will also target illegal parking of vehicles, poor pedestrian behaviour — such as not crossing the road at appropriate places and distraction — and school crossing supervisor safety.
Where offences are detected infringement notices and warnings will be issued.
While the operation will last for three weeks, Shepparton Highway Patrol Sergeant Janne Kennedy said safety around schools was an ongoing daily task for all police.
“Particularly in winter there’s fog, rain and darkness, and there’s times when 40km/h is still too fast,” Sgt Kennedy said.
“Drive to the conditions, if it’s foggy use headlights and remember kids are not experienced and don’t have as good road sense ... we need to be prepared for anything in school zones.”
Sgt Kennedy said most of the offences police had detected since school returned were for speeding.
“We’re finding a lot of people getting back to school are running late or distracted by kids in the car,” she said.
“I encourage people to plan their journey to school and work; if you leave and you’re going to be late, please don’t try and make up that time on the road.”