School-zone speed targeted

More than 260 vehicles were stopped last week when Pilbara police ran a special operation, targeting drivers speeding in school zones.

Operation Grandin ran between July 22-26 which was targeting speeding motorists in school zones at the start of the new school term.

Police issued 186 infringements for speeding.

Eight people were charged with a range of offences including one 37-year-old Marble Bar man, who was alleged to have been detected with a blood alcohol content of .091 in South Hedland.

The man was also alleged to be driving without a licence and had his vehicle impounded for 28 days and is scheduled to appear at the South Hedland magistrate’s court on August 14.

Three other motorists were also caught driving without a licence and had their vehicles impounded.

Pilbara traffic officer-in-charge acting Sergeant Dan Major said most of the speeding infringements were given to people driving at the regular 60km/h speed limit during times the school zones were operational.

“Seventy-one per cent of drivers to be detected speeding in a school zone is very disappointing and as you can imagine in a school zone, the consequences could be quite terrible,” he said. “We’re expecting motorists to slow down and be aware of their surroundings, and when school goes back to keep them in mind.”

St Paul’s primary school principal Santino Giancono said there was concern for the pupils who walked to nearby locations like the shopping centre, given the school’s location near the busy Searipple Road.

With the school being in such a central area of Karratha, Mr Giancono said not as many students rode their bikes or walked to school.

However, he hoped the future roadworks would make it safer for the students.