Road safety around schools in Victoria: rules, tips and school zones

Why road safety around schools is so important

School zones are uniquely challenging traffic environments. Children are among the most vulnerable road users. They are still developing key skills such as depth perception, speed judgement, and hazard awareness - all of which can make it harder for them to accurately assess traffic risks. Children may:

• cross the road without looking.
• drop items and suddenly stop or turn.
• walk or ride bikes in groups.
• become distracted by friends or devices.

School zones are also typically busiest for short periods in the morning and afternoon, with high volumes of vehicles stopping, starting, parking, and performing U-turns. At the same time, large numbers of children are moving through these areas on foot or by bike.

"In Victoria, reduced speed limits and school zone signage are designed to give drivers more time to react and reduce the severity of any collision," Williams says. "However, road safety around schools relies not just on rules, but on driver behaviour and community awareness."

What are the road rules around schools?

School zone speed limits

There are school speed zones in place at most schools in Victoria. These zones exist to improve safety by reducing the chance and severity of potential collisions.

Some school speed zones are permanent and in effect 24/7, while other school speed zones are only operational during certain hours and days. These time-based school speed zones are usually in effect between 8am and 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4pm weekdays during Victorian school terms (excluding public holidays). Electronic school zone signs are increasingly common and clearly display when reduced speed limits are active.

School speed zones reduce the posted speed limit to 40km on roads where the regular speed limit is less than 80km. Where the regular speed limit is 80km or more, the school speed zone usually reduces the limit to 60km.

Drivers must obey the school zone speed limit whenever the signs are operating, regardless of whether children are visible. Fines and demerit points apply for speeding in school zones, and penalties are generally higher due to the increased risk to children.

Be aware that students may be active near roads even outside of the school zone hours.

Why 40km/h matters

Data published by the Victorian Government states that a pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling at 40km per hour has a much higher chance of survival than a pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling at 60km. Even a small reduction in speed can make a life-saving difference.

Children's crossings 

Children's crossings can be recognised by bright orange 'Children Crossing' flags. 

Whenever those flags are displayed, road users must stop for any pedestrians waiting to cross. This applies regardless of whether a crossing supervisor is present. 

Remain stopped until the crossing is clear and do not block crossings.

Failing to stop at a school crossing is a serious offence and can result in substantial fines and demerit points.

Driving around preschools and childcare centres

While schools in Victoria have school speed zones, most standalone preschools and childcare centres (that is, those not connected to a school) do not.

Always obey the signposted speed limit when driving in Victoria. Where a speed limit is not posted, the default speed limit for built-up areas in Victoria (for example, suburban streets) is 50km.

In areas frequented by children, such as childcare centres, remain alert for children while driving.

Parking and drop off areas

The availability of parking varies from school to school in Victoria. Many schools provide parents and carers with a guide to safe parking, drop off and pick up options around the campus.

'Kiss and Go' zones are designated areas at some schools where drivers can drop off students safely without leaving their vehicle. You cannot park in these zones, which generally require motorists remain no longer than two minutes. Teach children to exit and enter the car from the kerbside door.

Obey local parking restrictions and signs around all schools. Drivers should be especially mindful of:

• 'No stopping' zones, which must be kept clear at all times.
• Clearways, which operate during specified hours.
• School crossings, where stopping too close can block visibility.  It is illegal to park within 20 metres before or 10 metres after a school crossing point.
• Double parking, which is illegal and dangerous.
• Bus zones, which should never be parked in.

Stopping even briefly in restricted areas can force children to cross between vehicles, significantly increasing the risk of a collision.

If parking spaces are limited or unavailable close to a school, consider parking further away and walking with your child to the gate. 

U-turns and three-point turns

U-turns are prohibited in many school zones, particularly near crossings and intersections. Even where not explicitly banned, performing U-turns near schools can be risky due to reduced visibility and unpredictable pedestrian movement.

Drivers should plan their routes to avoid the need for complex turning manoeuvres near school entrances.

Pedestrian and bicycle road safety around schools

It is estimated that about one third of children and young people usually travel to school using active transport for at least part of their journey. Encouraging active travel has clear health and environmental benefits, but it also requires careful attention to safety.

Hold younger children's hands

Young children should never be left unsupervised around any road. Transport Victoria recommends children should always hold an adult's hand when near any road until at least the age of five.

Supervise primary-aged children

Until around the age of 12, children have not developed the necessary skills and abilities to safely walk or bike ride independently.

Walk or ride with your children while demonstrating safe behaviours. This might include:

• using footpaths wherever available
• crossing at pedestrian crossings, traffic lights, or supervised school crossings
• stopping, looking, listening and thinking before crossing
• making eye contact with drivers before stepping onto the road
• avoiding distractions such as mobile phones or headphones near traffic
• ringing your bicycle bell to alert pedestrians when riding on the footpath.

Walking with friends or siblings can improve visibility and confidence, particularly for younger children.

Be alert

Teach children to focus on their surroundings when walking or bike riding. Don't use mobile phones, headphones or other handheld electronic devices when crossing the road.

Remind children to stay alert around driveways, and to be mindful of other pedestrians and bike riders.

Meet children on the same side of the road

When picking up children from school, meet them on the same side of the road as the school gates. This can help prevent them from dashing across the road to greet you.

Be bicycle safe

If your child is cycling or using a scooter to travel to school, there are specific safety responsibilities you need to consider. In Victoria:

• Wearing an approved helmet is compulsory.
• Kids aged 12 and under, as well as accompanying adults, are allowed to ride on the footpath.
• Bicycles and scooters must be well maintained.
• Children should understand basic road rules, including giving way and signalling.
• High-visibility clothing is recommended to improve visibility, especially in low light conditions.

Parents should assess whether their child's route is suitable for cycling and whether they have the skills required to ride safely in traffic or shared spaces.

Catching public transport to school in Victoria 

Many students, particularly older students, use public transport for all or part of their journey to school. Ensuring safety on and around public transport is an essential part of school road safety.

Teach safe behaviour 

Ensure students know how to safely use public transport before letting them catch it unsupervised. This includes:

• standing well back from the road or platform edge
• checking for traffic when boarding and alighting from trams and buses
• keeping bags and belongings clear of aisles and doors
• sitting down or holding on securely
• obeying warnings at level crossings
• waiting until buses have departed before crossing the road, to ensure they have a clear view of approaching traffic.

Plan your journey

Neighbourhood Watch recommends that you and your child agree on a route that they will take to and from school and this route should be the same everyday. Practise the route with your child before letting them go it alone.

Track their trip   

Set your child's phone to share its location. Try Family Location Sharing or Find My Friends app, which lets you know where your child is in real-time.

Don't get caught out   

Make sure your child is never stuck to get to or from school with automatic top ups on their public transport pass.

Make sure you know each other's numbers  

These days, everything is automated. Spend some time making sure you and your children have memorised each other’s phone numbers in case of an emergency.

Learn who to go to for assistance  

Make sure your child knows who to turn to if they are lost or have safety concerns. This may be a protective services officer, police officer or public transport staff member.