- 40kmh school zones in Meadow Springs, Gosnells, Willetton and Claremont remain the worst in the State for speeding
School zones enforced between the hours of 7.30am and 9am, and 2.30pm to 4pm on school days
Road fatalities have dropped by 30% in past five years, however State Government continues to build on efforts to reduce the road toll
Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey and Education Minister Peter Collier today reminded drivers that 40kmh school zones will be back in force within marked school zones from tomorrow.
Mrs Harvey said it was the duty of everybody behind a wheel in Western Australia to watch out for children on the roads.
"Tomorrow will be the first day at school for many kids. It is so easy for parents and children to be distracted in and around schools, especially in the first few weeks of the school year," Mrs Harvey said.
"Children are one of our most vulnerable road users. They can be unpredictable and given they are smaller in size, they can be harder to see.
"I think there is a wider message here that regardless of whether you are in a 40kmh zone - as a road user you have a responsibility to look out for our kids on roads."
The Minister also revealed the top 10 suburbs for school zone speeding infringements in 2013, with Meadow Springs, Gosnells, Willetton and Claremont showing an unacceptable number of people who were just not getting the message.
1. Meadow Springs - 2,043
2. Gosnells - 864
3. Willetton - 734
4. Claremont - 663
5. Hamilton Hill - 642
6. Brentwood - 574
7. Wembley - 509
8. Morley - 496
9. City Beach - 495
10. Kensington - 490
Mr Collier said a record number of about 287,000 public school students and 143,900 private school students would attend school next week.
"This is a 2.8 per cent increase in the number of students compared to last year, and means there will be more children for drivers to look out for around schools," he said.
"Seven new public schools will also open their doors to students for the first time tomorrow.
"The State Government is strongly committed to investing in education with 75 major capital works projects expected to be completed during 2014 at a total cost of $538million."
Fact File
As part of a $36million commitment, the State Government continues to fulfil its election promise of flashing 40kmh zone signage for all schools
New public schools opening tomorrow: Byford Secondary College (Stage 1, $35.2million); Hammond Park Primary School ($15million); John Butler Primary College, North Butler ($29.5million); Lakelands Primary School ($5.2million); Treendale Primary School, South-West ($15.5million); Yanchep Beach Primary School ($14million); and Wandina Primary School, Mid-West ($8million)
Road Safety Minister's office: 6552 5900
Education Minister's office: 6552 6300
