Drivers slow down as kids go back to school
- School zone speed limits will apply from Tuesday 28 January to help keep kids safe.
- Parents and carers to encourage children to be alert near roads or driveways and to obey school crossing supervisors.
- Road safety education will be available in Queensland schools from early Term 1 this year through a brand new Journi online road safety program for Years 5 and 6.
With the school bells ringing for the first time in 2025, motorists are reminded that school zone speed limits are back in force, and they need to take extra care when driving around schools.
School zone times are standardised in Queensland to help motorists remember when to slow down.
The standard operating times for most school zones in Queensland are 7–9am and 2–4pm, with some operating all day between 7am–4pm.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg encouraged parents and carers to remind children about the best ways to stay safe on and around the road, especially if they are travelling to school independently.
"Children can be unpredictable, especially when they're excited to see their friends again on the first day back at school," Mr Mickelberg said.
"We're encouraging motorists to take extra care and be alert around schools, proactively looking out for children crossing the road. Please follow the road rules, stay alert and within the speed limit, actively watching out for, and obeying school zone signs and school crossing supervisors.
"We currently have 2,092 crossing supervisors who do an excellent job keeping children safe on their way to and from school.
"If your child is walking or riding to or from school, make sure that they know the safest route and show them how to cross at traffic lights and at supervised school crossings.
"Encourage them to leave with plenty of time, especially if they are catching public transport, so they aren't tempted to rush near the road."
The Crisafulli Government is providing schools with a brand new version of the Journi online road safety education program early in Term 1 to help Year 5 and 6 students make better road safety choices.
Aligned to the latest Version 9 curriculum, Journi features a fun and engaging storyline, gamified learning activities and quizzes, full lesson plans and educator resources, and uses humour to communicate memorable road safety messages.
"If your child is in Year 5 or 6, they may be reminded of some of these things with the coming launch during Term 1 of the new Journi program in schools provided by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, created in collaboration with teachers, students and the Australian Road Safety Foundation," Mr Mickelberg said.
Journi learning topics include:
- In-car distractions
- Pedestrian visibility
- Seatbelts and sitting safely
- Bike safety, helmets and protection
- Safety in and around schools
- Crossing safely
- Pedestrian distractions
- Hazard identification & awareness
- Weather conditions
- Passenger duties
- Shared paths
- E-scooter rules
- Safety in rural, regional & remote areas
- Bus safety
- Level crossings
- Different vehicle types and traffic
The Crisafulli Government also encourages parents and students across South East Queensland (SEQ) to plan ahead for their back-to-school journeys, as new and improved school bus services are introduced for the new school year.
33 new school routes, 833 route modifications and four new buses have been introduced by Translink and 11 SEQ bus operators, along with 11 route removals.
