Take it easy driving through our school zones, warn Cape police. Photo: myPolice Cape York (Facebook).
Police across the Far North division have been out in force since school returned.
Officers will continue to conduct speed detection around school zones, so remember to slow down, follow the signs, and help keep everyone safe.
“Whether you’re dropping off your kiddos or just cruising through, let’s keep it safe in the school zones,” urges a post on the myPolice Cape York Facebook site.
“Take it easy, keep your eyes peeled for pedestrians, and be the driver everyone appreciates.”
The following speed limits apply in Queensland school zones:
- 40 km/h on roads where the normal speed limit is 50/60/70km/h
- 60 km/h on roads where the normal speed limit is 80km/h or above.
Fines across the state for exceeding this limit start at $333 and one demerit point.
School zones operate from 7-9 am and 2-4 pm but times may vary between local government areas.
Police hope for a better year on our roads in 2026 after two major operations.
Operation Mistletoe – launched in December 2025 – cracked down on the Fatal 5 during the holiday period: speeding, drink/drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driver distraction (especially mobile phones), and careless/fatigued driving.
Police detected more than 32,100 traffic offences during Operation Mistletoe, including:
- 16,000 speeding offences
- 300 seatbelt offences
- 200 distracted driving offences.
Operation X-Ray Surety – targeting dangerous and illegal e-mobility behaviour – launched by the Queensland Police Service in November 2025 has resulted in almost 3000 fines issued and almost 150 non-compliant devices seized.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said he was deeply concerned by last year’s road toll and again urged motorists to make smart decisions and follow Queensland’s road rules.
“Tragically, 308 lives were lost on Queensland roads in 2025 including 14 deaths involving an e-bike or e-scooter – that’s 308 families that have been torn apart and forever changed,” Mr Purdie said.
“Every motorist has a role to play, and we will not tolerate drivers who disregard the Fatal 5 and put the lives of other road users at risk.”
Queensland Police Service Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said the operations targeted behaviours that continued to devastate Queensland families.
“As students return to school, Queenslanders can expect to see police on our roads and in school zones,” Mr Wheeler said.
