Gateshead School Zone Leads Regional NSW in Speeding Fines as Students Return

newy.com.au – A school zone camera on the Pacific Highway at Gateshead, near Windale, has recorded the highest number of speeding fines in regional New South Wales over the past financial year, as students prepare to return to classrooms on Monday, 21 July 2025.

New data from Transport for NSW shows 3,288 drivers were caught speeding during active school zone hours at the southbound location in Gateshead, topping the list of regional hotspots. The area is a key thoroughfare for local families and services multiple schools in the Lake Macquarie region.

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison called on motorists to slow down and take greater care around schools. “Over 125,000 people made the decision to speed in an active school zone last year. That’s 125,000 drivers who made the selfish decision to put children’s lives at risk,” she said.

Across the state, more than 183,000 school zone speeding offences were recorded in the last 12 months, with nearly 70 per cent occurring during school zone hours. Since 2019, 106 children aged 5 to 16 have been struck by vehicles in active school zones, resulting in two deaths and 38 serious injuries.

Other regional locations with high numbers of school zone speeding fines include Ourimbah and Wollongong. In metropolitan Sydney, the worst-performing site was Woodville Road in Chester Hill, with 8,615 fines issued.

To improve safety, the Minns Government has installed over 6,800 flashing lights in school zones, launched a new signage trial near Newcastle, and continues to support around 1,500 school crossing supervisors at more than 980 schools statewide.

School zones operate from 8am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 4pm on school days. Motorists are reminded to observe all signage and slow down during these times.