<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Classrooms may still be empty in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="New South Wales"><span>New South Wales</span></a><span> and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australian-capital-territory" rel="" target="" title="the ACT"><span>the ACT</span></a><span>, but drivers risk being caught out by </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/school" rel="" target="" title="school"><span>school</span></a><span> zone speed limits which have already come into force.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Today is a staff development day, with students to return from the Easter holiday break on Tuesday in the ACT and on Wednesday in NSW.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, 40km/h speed limits in school zones recommenced this morning.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-politics-instant-tax-deduction-to-be-enshrined-in-law-jim-chalmers/dba7a95c-069c-43bd-92c7-8be822bb4475" rel="" target="" title="Millions of Aussie workers to get $1000 tax deduction"><strong><span>Millions of Aussie workers to get $1000 tax deduction</span></strong></a><strong><span> </span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The penalties for speeding in a designated school zone in NSW can be as high as a $3242 fine and seven demerit points for high-range offences.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In ACT, the penalties can include fines up to $2,136 and six demerit points.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>School zone rules operate during all designated school term dates, including staff development days.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-school-zones-drivers-caught-out-by-staff-development-days-40kmh-speed-limit-applies/0af6b64c-9591-4688-8c55-66431788fdb7" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The number of staff development days was increased in NSW last year from six to eight, including four at the start of the year and two at the start of Term 2.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/wheelers-hill-melbourne-boy-trapped-in-bus-door-dragged-along-road/cf3c8036-451d-4d19-b16e-5e688f3b7a37" rel="" target="_blank" title="Melbourne schoolboy caught in bus doors, dragged down road"><strong><span>Melbourne schoolboy caught in bus doors, dragged down road</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/wheelers-hill-melbourne-boy-trapped-in-bus-door-dragged-along-road/cf3c8036-451d-4d19-b16e-5e688f3b7a37" rel="" target="_blank" title="Melbourne schoolboy caught in bus doors, dragged down road"><strong><span></span></strong></a><span>There is often </span><a href="https://www.mynrma.com.au/open-road/news/2026/school-zones-still-in-effect-on-pupil-free-days" rel="" target="_blank" title="a spike in the number of school zone-related fines issued"><span>a spike in the number of school zone-related fines issued</span></a><span> on staff development days, according to data obtained by the NRMA.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>School zone speed limits will also come into effect from today in other states, including </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/western-australia" rel="" target="" title="Western Australia"><span>Western Australia</span></a><span> and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span> but staff development days in these states are set at a local level.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>School zones are typically in force from 8am until 9.30am and from 2.30pm until 4pm on weekdays in NSW.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, some schools have non-standard times. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and 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