TRAFFIC offences near school crossings in Swan Hill will be targeted with a heightened police presence, following complaints about illegal parking near these zones.
Police are taking a zero-tolerance approach to these parking offences, and have sent out a reminder to motorists to obey the road rules in school zones.
No stopping signs are in place near school pedestrian zones to ensure drivers have a clear view of people on and entering the crossing.
“No stopping means no stopping, just dropping off the kids is still stopping,” Swan Hill Police Traffic Management Unit officer in charge Sergeant Les McPhee said.
“Police will be enforcing the no stopping sign provisions, so if people continue to do it they are likely to get a penalty notice.”
Police said they will target all schools, not only the ones they have received complaints about.
Local schools have expressed support for the initiative, but said they were not aware of specific problems at their own crossings.
Swan Hill Primary School have two manned school crossings, assistant principal Joe Summerhayes said he knew it could get busy during peak times.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure of problems with parking [near school zones], but we certainly do have almost a lack of parking — particularly during pick up times, everyone is there at once, drop off is not as bad,” Mr Summerhayes said.
“We realise it is difficult to find a park because it is so busy, but we would like to see parents respecting the laws and making sure everyone is safe.”
At St Mary MacKillop College, the school crossings are unmanned, but acting deputy principal Catherine Howison said teachers were on yard duty during peak times near these zones.
“It is one of those things that we have to keep reminding people because people are busy, but they need to be mindful of safety,” she said.
“I am not aware of it — it hasn’t been an issue reported to us until yesterday, we did have a member of the public call to say it was very busy out there.”
With the school located in the centre of town, Ms Howison said parking could be an issue.
She added that students should make sure they are using the crossings when they get out of a vehicle on the way to school, and not getting out of the car and crossing the road at other areas.
Stopping a vehicle near a school crossing — no matter whether just dropping off pedestrians — can attract a $148 fine.
At a zone police observed last week — the location of which they chose not to reveal — Sgt McPhee said cars were “pulling up left, right and centre”.
But it isn’t just drivers that police will monitor, pedestrians will also be observed.
Pedestrian offences can attract a $74 fine, and children over the age of 14 can receive penalty notices.
For children under 14, a warning will be issued.
