By Alesha Capone
Motorists are being urged to take care when driving in school zones.
Within the past two weeks, Star Weekly has been contacted by local residents concerned about driver behaviour on Tarneit Road.
A school, kindergarten, early learning centre and childcare centre are all located along the busy road.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said she was driving in a 40km/h zone of Tarneit Road last week, near a school crossing, when she saw several other motorists driving faster than the permitted speed limit.
The resident said she was honked at by other drivers, presumably for obeying the speed limit, and tailgated by another vehicle.
“I’m worried what might happen if one of these speeding cars can’t stop at the school crossing in time,” the woman said.
“I’d hate for them to hit a child or the crossing supervisor.”
Another resident said he was not sure if drivers realise the school year wasn’t over.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said Operation Drive Through was underway in Wyndham.
“It is focused on speeding, pedestrian behaviour, seat belts, parking and other dangerous road user behaviour with a view to reducing road trauma and collisions,” the spokesperson said.
“Westgate Highway patrol officers and local members regularly patrol and enforce school zone speed limits including school zones in Tarneit Road.”
Wyndham council’s director of city operations, Stephen Thorpe, said: “Wyndham City urges all drivers to be mindful of their driving behaviour, particularly around schools in order to ensure the safety of Wyndham families and our school crossing supervisors.”
“Council works closely with Victoria Police to ensure drivers remain under the prescribed speed limits, particularly around the 40km/h school zones from 8am to 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm and to follow the guidance of school crossing supervisors,” Mr Thorpe said.
He also said the council regularly places electronic signage around the municipality and schools, warning drivers to slow down.
