SCHOOL zones became active in some parts of New South Wales on Tuesday.

While most students do not return to schools until next Monday, February 2, the 40kph limit applies this week in some locations.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said Australians have no time for drivers who speed in school zones and put the lives of children at risk.

“The NRMA urges all drivers to slow down and take extra care during school zone hours,” Mr Khoury said.

“NRMA’s research also alarmingly shows that the number of fines on one pupil free day in January last year was 130 per cent higher than the average in March, which had no pupil free days – this must be addressed.

“While fines in school zones fell slightly overall, the state has seen significant increases in those locations that have appeared at the top of the list for the greatest number of fines,” he said.

The NRMA is calling for an immediate audit of the state’s school zones after it found almost $35 million in fines for speeding and red-light camera offences were recorded in these locations during the 2024-2025 financial year.

Although the 125,783 speeding fines issued in NSW school zones represents an overall decrease of some 6000 on the previous financial year, there were increases in the number of offences at three of Sydney’s five most notorious locations.

“Sitting back and collecting those fines will not make children safer and the NRMA is again calling for physical audits of school zones to ensure they are doing the job of alerting drivers and slowing them down – starting with the locations that top the list,” Mr Khoury said.

Transport for NSW reminds motorists school zones across most of New South Wales are back in force, as teachers and students begin returning for the new school year.

While the first few days of the term are traditionally school development days for teachers, children may also be returning and that will continue to increase throughout the week.

Some schools return earlier than others, particularly non-government schools, so to avoid any confusion for motorists and to keep the returning children safe, 40kph school zone speed limits are now in place.

There are many locations where multiple schools are close to each other and some of those schools will have different return dates.

School zones generally apply from 8am to 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm on weekdays.

Motorists who don’t obey the rules face heavy fines and demerits.

For more information on school zones, go to Road Safety and Community School Zones.