SCHOOL CROSSING:  STEADY AS YOU GO
As a motorist driving daily through the school zone on Berowra Waters Road, I have observed some driving practices which have stood my hair on end.
A few years ago there was a ‘blitz’ by police on the local school zone children’s crossings because motorists were either ignorant of the road rules or simply didn’t care.  A few high profile visits from the Highway Patrol and a few infringement notices handed out together with some prominent line marking and ‘slow down’ bumps at the crossing, made the problem go away.
Sadly motorists are getting slack again with regard to road safety.
I have personally observed vehicles at the Berowra Waters Road School Crossing outside Hillcrest School:
1.  Obviously speeding
2.  Illegally kerbside overtaking when another vehicle is turning right
3.  Vehicles driving through the crossing when the Crossing Supervisor is standing on the crossing
4.  Tailgating vehicles who are travelling at the required 40kph
5.  Stopping with their vehicles overlapping the pedestrian crossing linemarking
6.  Parking illegally
7.  Overtaking a vehicle stopped at the pedestrian crossing
I have written to Hornsby Police of my concerns calling for a higher police profile in the area.  My hopes are that this will result in motorists (most of them locals!) driving safely in the future.
There are many reasons why motorists don’t comply with the road rules.  Some drivers forget it is a school zone (don’t see the signs);  some are out-of-towners ( often tradies & delivery vehicles ) and they don’t know the area;  some drivers shouldn’t be driving – drunk, too tired, distracted, medically unfit, unlicensed, on drugs or certain prescription meds;  some are drivers don’t know or are not quite sure of the road rules;  and a small minority of drivers are just morons who couldn’t care less.
Here are some School Zone Offences and the fines they incur.  Please try to avoid them:
Rule 80 (1) Approach children’s crossing too quickly to stop safely.  FINE: $405  DEMERITS:  4 POINTS
Rule 80 (2)(a) Disobey hand-held stop sign at children’s crossing.  FINE: $405  DEMERITS: 4 POINTS
Rule 80 (2)(b) Not stop at children’s crossing/pedestrian on crossing.  FINE: $405  DEMERITS: 4 POINTS
Rule 80 (3)(a) Proceed at children’s crossing while sign shown. FINE: $405  DEMERITS: 4 POINTS
Rule 80 (3)(b) Proceed at children’s crossing contrary to directions. FINE: $405
DEMERITS: 4 POINTS
Rule 80 (4) Proceed at children’s crossing/pedestrian at crossing.  FINE: $405  DEMERITS: 4 POINTS
Rule 81 (2) Not give way to pedestrian on pedestrian crossing. FINE: $405  DEMERITS: 4 POINTS
Rule 82 Pass/overtake vehicle at pedestrian/children’s crossing.  FINE: $405  DEMERITS: 4 POINTS
Rule 128A Enter blocked children’s/pedestrian/marked foot crossing. FINE: $243  DEMERITS: 3 POINTS
No one wants to be involved in a motor vehicle accident, particularly if there are pedestrians involved. 
Please drive carefully  . . . .  or else.