It was disappointing that drivers continued to gamble with children’s lives by speeding in school zones, said superintendent of Road and Proactive Policing Alex Nicolson.

“Slow down, pay attention, and don’t take that risk,” he said as children returned to classrooms across Canberra.

“Children are some of our most vulnerable road users and their size and unpredictability exposes them to significant risk around roads.”

He said reduced speed limits in school zones give motorists more time to react in unexpected situations.

With the school term starting this week, 40km/h speed limits are now in effect in all ACT school zones.

Last year, police issued 264 fines and 47 cautions to drivers caught speeding in school zones. One driver was detected travelling at 89km/h.

The driver, a 44-year-old Kaleen woman, was fined $2136 and had her licence suspended for six months.