More caught speeding in Bathurst school zones

Five-hundred and twenty seven drivers were caught by police in the last financial year, costing motorists a staggering $144,620 in fines, compared with 322 drivers in the previous year who shelled out just over $80,000 for infringement notices. 

General speeding offences also rose: there were 5006 offences recorded in Chifley Local Area Command in the last financial year compared with 4189 the year prior.

Bathurst Highway Patrol Commander Sergeant Peter Foran said it was disturbing to see such an increase in the number of speeding drivers, especially in school areas, where he said the combination of children and speed could prove fatal.

“It’s no secret that speed is one of the four factors in injury and fatal collision,” he said.

“Speed kills, and drivers exceeding the speed limit risk losing control in an emergency braking situation, putting themselves, passengers and other road users at grave risk.”

Sergeant Foran said it was frustrating for officers that some drivers did not heed the warning.

“There is no excuse; it’s all over the news, on television and in the newspapers.

“If you are speeding, your chances of having a crash increase, while the risk of being seriously injured or killed in a crash also rises.”

He said police made no apologies for enforcing speed limits, and writing tickets when people are caught doing the wrong thing.

“If you are caught speeding, there is only one person to blame,” he said, adding police will continue to patrol school zones.

He said the sad reality is children across the state are being injured or killed. He said the Central West was no exception, citing when a little boy was hit by a car and killed in Orange a couple of years ago.

“A child being killed by a car is a town-changing experience, and I think most people would agree they would much rather be stopped by police than have to live with the fact they have killed a child because they were speeding,” he said.