The Love 40 campaign has marked the start of the Tasmanian school year since 2019, with this year’s iteration launched at Blackmans Bay Primary School on Thursday, January 30.
Love 40 is a reminder for road users to slow down and obey road rules in school zones.
“On any given school day, approximately 85,000 school kids are on the move across the state, and they deserve to do so safely,” Minister for Transport Eric Abetz said.
“Between 2020 and 2024, 13 pedestrians and cyclists aged 17 and under were involved in crashes in school zones, including one fatality.
“These are wholly avoidable and a complete tragedy.
“This year the campaign will focus on the common excuses people use after breaking road rules in a move set to dispel the common mindset of ‘it won’t happen to me’.”
Some of these excuses include:
- “I was a bit over and had a Pilates class to get to.”
- “Ah, c’mon, it was 9.29am, there were no kids around.”
- “I was only going 42km, what’s the problem?”
As part of the campaign children dressed and acted like adults, delivering familiar excuses that drivers often give for not following the rules in the school zone.
“As we start another school year, it’s imperative for all drivers to remember that road safety doesn’t just apply during the first week of school, it’s an ongoing, year-round commitment,” said the Chair of the Road Safety Advisory Council, Scott Tilyard.
“We often receive reports from our school crossing patrol officers about incidents where drivers are either speeding or not paying attention in school zones.
“No matter the circumstances – whether you’re running late or facing other pressures – unsafe driving in a school zone is never acceptable.”
