More than 1,2000 drivers have been fined by new school zone speed limits in South Australia in a matter of weeks, racking up to close to $700,000 in fines and triggering a growing backlash over what some motorists say are “confusing” and poorly communicated rules.
The fines stem from a statewide rollout of new 40km/h zones on major roads near schools, with strict enforcement during set hours, 8am to 9:30am and 2pm to 4pm on school days.
An average of 24 drivers a day have been penalised at two monitored sites, with almost 1,200 motorists fined in just 11 weeks.
That’s approximately $649,037 in fines issued.
Online, motorists describe the rules as difficult to interpret, particularly for those without school-aged children.
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“It’s actually dangerous, you see the sign, check the time, try to work out if it’s a school day, and suddenly you’re already in the zone,” one user wrote.
Others point to the mental load placed on drivers.
“Now it’s read the sign, look at your watch, consider if it’s a school day, then you realise you haven’t been watching the road,” another said.
The RAA has backed the new rules, arguing that lower limits are designed to reduce risk in high-traffic areas.
Crash data show approximately 40 per cent of injury incidents involving children occur during peak school travel times, reinforcing the need for slower speeds.
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More than 160 schools are set to receive the new limits, with approximately 60 already operational.
While the two-monitored sites are fitted with flashing signs, most of the 60 rollout locations rely on static signage.
South Australian motorists are calling for this to be changed with clearer signage, particularly flashing or electronic displays.
“Fine print on a speed sign is psychotic, if there are variables, it needs to be electronic,” one wrote.
Some drivers questioned whether the new rule as about enforcement or revenue.
“This seems like a gotcha law … most peo
ple are trying to do the right thing,” one commenter said.
However, the school zones and fines have been enforced in other states and territories for years and in many cases, South Australia is just falling in line, even if the roll out of the system hasn’t been arguably done as well as possible.
