School crossings

Traffic and parking problems around schools is a significant issue for Council and schools in Merri-bek.

The amount of traffic during drop-off and pick-up times, combined with the potential for dangerous driving, can put children and crossing supervisors at risk.

Council is responsible for approximately 75 school crossings with supervisors on every school day. The primary responsibility of the School Crossing Supervisor is the safety of the children and pedestrians using the crossing.

Council parking enforcement officers can issue infringements for stopping and parking rules listed below. There is zero tolerance on illegal parking in the vicinity of school crossings.

Speed limits in school zones

Speed limits have been set for school zones to improve road safety outside schools while taking into account issues such as high traffic volume, peak school pedestrian hours and school holidays.

There are several types of school speed limit zones, including permanent time-based and electronic variable speed limit reductions.

	Advanced warning signs Advanced warning signs tell motorists they are approaching a school zone with reduced speed limits. Drivers should be prepared to slow down during school times.
	50 km/h roads Outside schools on 50 km/h roads, there are permanent 40 km/h speed limit zones. Drivers must obey this 40 km/h speed limit at ALL times. In some special cases, such as 50 km/h roads with high traffic volumes, a time-based 40 km/h limit may be in place.
	60 and 70 km/h roads Outside schools on 60 and 70 km/h roads, a time-based 40 km/h speed limit is used. The 40 km/h speed limit is in effect from 8 am to 9.30 am, and from 2.30 pm to 4 pm on school days. The regular 60 or 70 km/h limit applies outside these times.
	80, 90 and 100 km/h roads Outside schools on 80, 90 and 100 km/h roads, a time-based 60 km/h speed limit applies from 8 am to 9.30 am, and from 2.30 pm to 4 pm on school days. The regular 80, 90, or 100 km/h limit applies outside these times.
	Electronic sign – variable speed limits Roads with a speed limit of 70 km/h; higher speed roads which carry more than 500 vehicles each day; and roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h with high traffic volumes, will use electronic variable speed limit signs. The speed limits on these signs change. Drivers should always travel within the speed limit shown on these signs.

General stopping and parking rules around school zones

You must not leave a vehicle stationary:

double parked
where there is a Keep Clear road marking
within an intersection (except on the continuous side of a continuing road of a T-intersection)
across a lane or private driveway (except for 2 minutes to pick up or drop off passengers without leaving the vehicle unattended)
where you would leave less than 3 metres of road clear for traffic
on the wrong side of the road, i.e. on the far right side of a two-way road
on a footpath, nature strip or reservation (unless the vehicle is a motorcycle or bicycle)
in a bus lane
on a painted island
half in, half out of a No Parking or No Stopping area
opposite a dividing strip, continuous single line, or any combination of continuous or broken double lines, unless there is at least 3 metres of clearance between your vehicle and the dividing line (unless otherwise indicated on a parking sign)
on a curve or crest outside a built-up area unless visible for 100 metres from behind, or unless signs allow
next to a continuous yellow edge line, or
in a slip lane (unless permitted by a sign).

You must not leave a vehicle within 20 metres (unless permitted by a sign) of:

the approach side of a children’s crossing
the approach side of a pedestrian crossing that is not at an intersection
both sides of an intersection with traffic lights
the approach side of a bus stop
both sides of a level crossing, or
the approach side of a tram stop sign (unless permitted by a sign).

You must not leave a vehicle within 10 metres (unless permitted by a sign) of:

the departure side of a pedestrian crossing that is not at an intersection
the departure side of a children’s crossing
both sides of a safety zone
an intersection without traffic lights
the departure side of a bus stop sign, or
the approach side of traffic lights not at an intersection.

You must not leave a vehicle within 3 metres:

of the departure side of a crossing with traffic lights not at an intersection.

You must not leave a vehicle within 1 metre:

of a fire hydrant.

More information about road rules and parking is available from VicRoads.

School crossing safety

When using a crossing you must listen to the crossing supervisor's directions and always:

stand behind the yellow line
never follow the crossing supervisor out onto the crossing
wait until you hear their whistle (two short blasts) before crossing
do not ride bikes across the crossing, bounce a ball, fight or run
walk quickly and safely, and
stay within the lines of the crossing and walk in front of the supervisor (never behind them).

For drivers at a school crossing, remember to:

park well away from crossings
drive slowly and be prepared to stop
listen to what crossing supervisors say
completely stop your vehicle and avoid rolling, and
wait until people have returned to the footpath before driving off.

If you see something wrong at a school crossing, you can contact Council to report it.

Download our School Crossing Safety pocket guide (PDF 3Mb).

School crossing supervisors

Council is responsible for staffing 55 school crossings with supervisors on every school day. Council funds at least two-thirds of this service and receives some assistance from state government grants.

Crossing supervisors are located at both pedestrian light crossings and at flagged children's crossings.

School crossings operate between 8.15 - 9 am and 3.15 - 4 pm on school days.

Council’s school crossing supervisors are trained, provided with uniform and equipment and have a current Working with Children check carried out by Victoria Police. Supervisors are from all walks of life and backgrounds.

VicRoads has more information about school crossing supervisors.

How to become a school crossing supervisor

Council advertises current vacancies for school crossing supervisors.

Many of these vacancies are for casual positions to fill in for permanent supervisors when they are away. Casual school crossing supervisors can become permanent when permanent supervisors leave or retire.