As Queensland marks Road Safety Week, the Crisafulli Government is investing in the safety of schoolchildren with the rollout of flashing school zone signs across 100 high-risk locations statewide. The program has received almost $7 million this financial year for installation and maintenance.
The initiative is designed to reduce speeding and improve driver awareness in school zones. Research shows that flashing school zone signs lead to a 45 per cent reduction in the number of motorists exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 km/h.
In 2024 alone, more than 12,000 infringement notices were issued across Queensland for speeding in 40km/h school zones. Tragically, over 63 school-aged children were injured in crashes within school zones last year, with around 30 hospitalised.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the government was committed to making journeys to and from school safer for children.
“Children are one of our most vulnerable road users and we will continue to implement road safety measures around schools,” Minister Mickelberg said. “The upgraded signs complement a range of measures, including increased speeding enforcement and the $25.5 billion investment in Queensland’s road network over the next four years.”
Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek emphasised the importance of driver awareness.
“Every child deserves to feel safe on their way to and from school. These flashing signs are a simple but powerful reminder to drivers to slow down and stay alert,” he said. “We’re listening to school communities and acting on their concerns to make school zones safer across Queensland.”
The selected school zones were identified based on crash history, pedestrian activity, traffic volume, speed limits, visibility concerns, and input from local communities. Schools across Greater Brisbane, Logan/Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, North Queensland, Mackay, Far North Queensland, Western Queensland, Central Queensland, Bundaberg/Burnett, Scenic Rim, and Toowoomba/Southern Downs will benefit from the new signs.
Some of the schools included in the rollout in Greater Brisbane are Drayton State School, Kedron State School, Ormiston College, St Mary MacKillop Primary School (Birkdale), and St Joseph’s School (Nundah).
The government says the program is a key part of its ongoing commitment to protecting lives on Queensland roads.
School Zone Speeding Infringements in 2024 (selected regions)
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South Brisbane: 2,559
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North Brisbane: 2,100
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Moreton: 1,722
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Ipswich: 1,532
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Sunshine Coast: 1,056
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Gold Coast: 881