Drivers take care around schools

The school holidays are over and kids throughout Taupo headed back to school last week. Taupo District Council want to remind motorists to drive with caution around schools, and to take notice of active warning signs.

The newly installed active warning signs on Kiddle Drive and Invergarry Road were activated again last week, reminding drivers to slow down and watch out for children when passing schools zones. The signs are activated for a period during the morning and afternoon when the children are walking to and from school.

Taupo District Council Road Safety Coordinator Christine Hutchison says there has been some confusion around the new signs. “The active signs, with their flashing lights, provide an extra level of awareness to drivers. However, motorists are not required to slow to 40km/hr, we can only encourage them to slow down around schools with these signs.”

Motorists are required to slow to 40km/h around schools when the signs clearly have the 40 speed limit highlighted along with the times the speed limit is in operation. “Taupo District Council is looking at installing one of these school zones in the near future along with more active warning signs at schools,” said Ms Hutchison.

Drivers are also reminded to watch out for children on the road and not just around schools as they can appear from nowhere.