GREAT Lakes Council is pleading with drivers to obey traffic signs after 22 people were booked for illegally stopping or parking in school or bus zones in August.
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The council’s manager of waste, health and regulatory services, John Cavanagh, said the rules were there to protect children and prevent injuries or fatalities.
He urged drivers, many who were parents themselves, to follow the directions of signs.
‘‘People may be unaware that many of those offences in school zones also come with a loss of two demerit points, so a hefty fine will also cost you points on your licence,’’ Mr Cavanagh said.
‘‘The severity of the penalties is a small indicator of the danger you are putting other children in when you disobey the law.
‘‘While parents may not think it’s a problem to stop and drop off a child in a bus zone, they are very high risk areas for accidents involving children, which is why the law is very clear.’’
Nineteen of the 22 drivers fined by council rangers in August will also lose two demerit points.
The fines ranged from $173 to $311 depending on the offence.
Sixteen of the 22 drivers copped a $311 fine, Mr Cavanagh said.
‘‘There is no escaping the fact that the majority of the drivers fined are parents or carers of children.
‘‘It’s astonishing that some people continue to break the school zone stopping and parking rules.’’
