POLICE are keeping tabs on parents during school runs along Gordon Road.
Traffic congestion outside Redland Bay State School has become a nightmare, with drivers breaking road rules as they ferry children to and from class.
Some parents have been caught speeding, failing to give way, parking in drop-off zones, stopping on roundabouts and using mobiles while driving.
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Similar problems are also being experienced at Mount Cotton State School, which police are also dealing with.
Constable Benjamin Clinch said bad behaviour by motorists risked students’ safety, with police presence boosted along Gordon Road to help combat the issue outside Redland Bay State School.
“Many … would have noticed an increase in police activity on Gordon Road, Redland Bay during school pick-up and drop-off times in the past few weeks,” he said.
“This has been part of a deliberate response to concerns raised by the local school community relating to road safety and traffic management during those times."
Redland Bay State School principal Lex Bowden said he supported the work of police to curb dangerous behaviour on the road.
While roadworks at the nearby Giles Road intersection may have added to delays, Mr Bowden said congestion along Gordon Road during school drop-off and pick-up times had always been a problem.
A lack of parking space meant the school’s single road access road could become clogged and he urged parents to be patient and abide by traffic laws.
Mr Bowden said the school’s top concern was the safety of its 900 students.
He said the school could not stagger the release of pupils because of bus timetables but encouraged parents to pick-up their kids further along the street to avoid problems.
Not driving at all could also help.
“We’d encourage (families) to walk to school as its good exercise and they can avoid traffic problems,” he said.
Redland Bay police said drivers breaking the law faced fines, demerit points and licence suspensions.
Penalties range from $50 for illegal parking, $378 and three demerit points for using a mobile while driving and up to $1177 and a licence suspension for speeding.
Fines also applied for motorists who failed to give way and those riding bicycles faster than the speed limit.
For more information on penalties, visit the Transport and Main Roads Department’s website here.
