NRMA Survey Reveals Dangerous School Zone Driving Habits

The NRMA calls on Aussie motorists to show a bit of common sense while driving through school zones after a new survey revealed more than a quarter of parents witnessed a near-miss collision outside schools in the past year.

Surveying over 1,000 people regarding public safety in school zones during COVID, the NRMA discovered that 9 per cent of parents and guardians had witnessed a collision between a pedestrian and a car in a school zone.

The alarming percentage has pushed NRMA Road Safety Expert Dimitra Vlahomitro to promote extreme caution around school zones, stating there is “no excuse for poor driver behaviour at any time, but especially not when children’s’ lives are at risk.”

With more than half (51 per cent) of NRMA Members concerned about double parking or illegally stopping in school zones, Ms Vlahomitros highlights the “shockingly risky behaviour around schools” in their effort to encourage better driving behaviour amongst parents and guardians.

These dangerous and highly illegal driving behaviours include driving on the wrong side of the road to get past queues, speeding, dropping very young children off alone on roads, or performing illegal or dangerous u-turns.

“Schools worked so hard in 2020 to ensure safe environments were provided for children during COVID. As we start the school year, the extra traffic congestion around school will return, and the NRMA is calling on all road users to adjust to these conditions and take safe measures to keep children safe.”