Drivers caught speeding in school zones have made up more than one-in-three offences recorded by the ACT government's mobile speed camera vans since students returned to the classroom after coronavirus-induced shutdowns.
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In the period since students went back to face-to-face lessons in mid-May after learning from home, the mobile vans recorded 2673 speeding drivers in school zones.
That figure makes up more than 39 per cent of the 6823 speeding offences detected by the vans between May 1 and July 31, ACT government data has revealed.
The number of school zone offences in the three-month period this year increased by 22 per cent compared to the same time last year, where almost 2200 fines were handed out.
However, the number of speeding tickets from the mobile cameras overall fell from 2019, with more than 8000 recorded between May and the end of July.
The school zone outside Canberra Grammar School on Mugga Way had the most number of speeding fines issued in the three months out of any other location in the ACT.
Government figures showed 360 drivers were booked for going over the limit in the school zone.
Other school zones with the most number of offenders included Launceston Street outside Canberra College with 266, Jerrabomberra Avenue near Narrabundah College with 191, The Valley Avenue outside Burgmann Anglican School with 188 and Oodgero Avenue near Franklin Early Childhood School, which had 173 speeding offences.
An ACT government spokeswoman said there were eight mobile speed camera vans out on Canberra streets.
"A total of 1296 locations in the ACT are monitored with speed camera vans deployed randomly to all locations depending on operational requirements," the spokeswoman said. "New locations are considered and surveyed on a regular basis with community safety key to decision making."
Among the locations monitored by the vans were 315 streets and 78 schools across Canberra.
While the school zone outside Canberra Boys' Grammar had the highest number of speeding offences, major Canberra roads made up the bulk of the most-fined locations.
The Majura Parkway had the second-highest number of speeding infringements in the three-month period, with 346 recorded.
That was followed by Athllon Drive with 319, Horse Park Drive with 300, while Pialligo Avenue rounded out the top five with 292.
Of the 6823 offences recorded, 670 of those drivers had been caught speeding between 15 and 30km/h over the limit, while 55 drivers were more than 30km/h above the limit when they were caught.
The government figures came after ACT police released figures showing a Canberran was caught speeding almost once every hour during July.
Mobile speeding van fines in Canberra:
- Mugga Way - 360
- Majura Parkway - 346
- Athllon Drive - 319
- Horse Park Drive -300
- Pialligo Avenue -292
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
