Drivers are urged to take extra care on our roads and be on the lookout for school speed zones, as Victorian students return to the classroom from Monday January 31.
Victorian government schools started back today, with school speed zones enforced from 8am. Drivers are urged to be patient and should expect an increase in road, pedestrian and bicycle traffic at drop-off and pick-up times.
Some school speed zones are permanent, while others operate from 8am to 9.30am, and from 2.30pm to 4pm on weekdays, with reduced speeds of 40km/h or 60km/h in school zones until the end of the school term.
School speed zones are designed to keep pedestrians safe by lowering the speed limit at peak times when children are travelling to and from school. Regardless of whether a school is open or closed, all sign-posted 40km/h zones will still apply.
School bus services will operate as normal, and across the bus network priority is being given to providing drivers for school buses. However there is a risk of staff shortages caused by COVID-19 and this may result in some changes and cancellations to school bus services.
Local schools will notify parents and students of changes or cancellations to services as soon as possible.
Up-to-date school bus cancellation information will be added to the Department of Education’s closure website: education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/Pages/closures.aspx.
MEANWHILE, the state government’s Prep Bags are back, with every student starting Prep at a government school in 2022 to receive a library bag containing a bundle of books and resources to encourage a lifelong love of reading and learning.
Minister for Education James Merlino today unveiled the 2022 Prep bags, which are being delivered to about 65,000 Preps in 1300 Victorian government primary, P-12, special and language schools.
