As the school holidays draw to a close, Australian drivers are being urged to stay alert—but not for the reason you might expect. A hidden risk on the roads could cost you dearly if you’re not paying close attention.
It’s easy to assume that the end of the break means a brief reprieve from the usual school zone rules. After all, schoolyards will be quiet, and students won’t officially return to classrooms until midweek. But despite the empty playgrounds, the rules—and the penalties—remain firmly in place.
This ‘speed fine trap’ comes into sharp focus in New South Wales, where the days in question, Monday, April 28, and Tuesday, April 29, are officially designated as ‘school development days’. Teachers and staff will be busy with professional learning and planning sessions, while students enjoy a few extra days off. However, drivers who relax their vigilance could find themselves hit with hefty fines.
The absence of bustling school zones might suggest a relaxation of the usual 40km/h speed limits, but this is far from the case. Speed restrictions remain in full effect, and ignorance is no excuse under the law. The NRMA has warned that these pupil-free days often catch motorists off guard, leading to thousands of dollars in unexpected fines.
Transport for NSW Executive Director Transport Safety, Chadi Chalhoub, stressed the need for continued caution: ‘We want children to go to school and return home safely, so please follow the speed limit in school zones and watch out for children when they are crossing, waiting to cross, or as they get on or off buses.’ He also issued a stern warning: ‘Drivers who disobey road rules and gamble with the lives of children will face higher penalties and risk losing their licence.’
The statistics are sobering. In 2024, an astonishing 2,184 speeding fines were issued over the two days leading up to term one, nearly doubling the daily average for February. This spike in infringements is a clear indication that many drivers are caught off guard by the enforcement of speed limits on days when school seems out of session.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury expressed frustration over the situation, noting that drivers who typically respect the 40 km/h limit can be penalised on pupil-free days due to a lack of awareness. ‘The overwhelming majority of drivers go to great lengths to do the right thing around school zones, and school zone speed limits have overwhelming public support—we just don’t want people inadvertently breaking the law and getting fined,’ he said.
The confusion is compounded by the increase in pupil-free days in NSW, which has risen from six days in 2024 to eight days in 2025. This means more opportunities for drivers to be caught unawares and more chances for fines to be issued.
As school zones remain active even during pupil-free days, it’s important for all drivers to stay informed and cautious. Awareness can make a significant difference in ensuring safety and avoiding unnecessary penalties.
Have you ever been caught out by this rule? What measures do you take to ensure you’re always driving safely around schools? Let us know in the comments below, and drive safely as the new term approaches!
Also read: Research reveals the ‘convenience catch’ quietly costing Australian drivers
School Zones are set as per the gazetted school days for each State. This is for uniformity. Not all go back midweek, my granddaughter in Year 2 high school went back today Mon 28th.