Today is the first day back at school for most children, and parents are probably letting out a huge sigh of relief because they do not have to worry about keeping the offspring occupied every single day any more. At least for the next 11 weeks, they will be back in class, back into their after school activities and parents will be engaging in their own school term activity: nagging the kids to put down their iPads and do their homework!
Being back at school also means that all the speed limits around schools, not only in the St Kilda area, but everywhere, will be 40 km per hour during certain times. Most of us are used to this by now, although there are always the odd one or two who will ignore it. Sometimes, sadly, these are parents themselves which seems a little hypocritical.
Sometimes, however, one must wonder why the timing of these 40 zones need to be so stretched out and disrupt the flow of traffic when it would appear to be unnecessary. There is one example in East St Kilda where the 40 signs are turned on from 2pm and will still be on after 6pm. Is this a little bit of an overkill perhaps? Considering that there are no parents or parents' cars anywhere near the school until closer to 3:30pm and then they are usually all gone by 4:30pm, and the school is clearly closed at 6pm. But if drivers were to ignore these 40 signs, they risk getting a speeding ticket. There is an interesting discussion forum on the
Whirlpool site if anyone is interested in what others have to say about this.
Another familiar sight around school drop-off and pick-up times are the number of SUV and 4-Wheel drive vehicles you see. It doesn't help traffic flow at all when you have parents in these large cars double parked which essentially brings traffic to a complete stand still.
Despite some of these traffic and speed zones woes, it is probably common sense and wise to slow down around schools in the mornings and afternoons. We can all agree that the safety of our children is important.
Have a fantastic Term 4!
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