NSW POLICE are warning Scone drivers making illegal u-turns they can face fines up to $433.
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Driver behaviour around schools and in the Central Business District (CBD) has been of concern to police, particularly the number of people ignoring unbroken centre lines.
Hunter Valley Local Area Command Chief Inspector Guy Guiana APM said there were a number of locations in the Scone CBD with unbroken dividing lines.
“As drivers should well know, it is illegal to cross an unbroken dividing line to either overtake another vehicle, or conduct a u-turn,” he said.
“This includes leaving an angled parking spot and crossing the dividing line to travel in the opposite direction.
“Illegal u-turns appear to be prevalent in Liverpool Street between Main Street and Kelly Street, and between Guernsey Street and Kelly Street.
“The volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic in these locations makes the practice dangerous.
“Of even greater concern are u-turns across dividing lines, or in otherwise unsafe circumstances, in school zones.”
Inspector Guiana said parents seemed to be the main offenders.
“The danger of risky manoeuvres is compounded by increased traffic and the proximity of children in school zone operating times,” he said.
“It only takes a few minutes to go around the block instead of breaking the law and risking an accident.
“We also ask that parents use school drop off zones correctly, and do not unreasonably delay other users of drop off zones.
“Children who are too small to alight from a vehicle with their belongings unaided should really be walked to the school gate from a parking spot.”
Drivers found breaking the law could face the following penalties; $325 and three points, for a u-turn across dividing lines; $325 to $433 and three to four points, for other u-turn offences in school zones; and, $433 and two points, for stopping on or near a marked foot/pedestrian crossing in school zone.