As the new school year begins in Serbia, significant changes to traffic regulations have been implemented to enhance the safety of children. Starting today, a new speed limit of 30 km/h is enforced in school zones from 7 AM to 9 PM. This measure is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to increase traffic controls around schools, aiming to protect the 770,000 students attending classes this year, including over 62,500 first graders.
The Agency for Traffic Safety has been actively urging drivers to exercise heightened caution, reduce speed, and exhibit patience, particularly around school zones. The agency emphasizes that children are among the most vulnerable road users, as they may not always accurately judge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles. Their attention can easily be diverted by conversations, play, or peers, which underscores the need for drivers to anticipate potential hazards and be prepared to stop safely and promptly.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that traffic police will conduct intensified monitoring in the vicinity of all primary schools across Serbia. The focus will be on identifying and penalizing offenses that pose the greatest risk to children’s safety, such as speeding, failing to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, improper transportation of children in vehicles, and illegal parking.
Drivers are advised to be particularly vigilant during times when children are arriving at or leaving school, as these periods see the highest traffic density in school zones. The agency advises drivers to reduce speed, closely monitor the area around crosswalks, and ensure they yield to children showing intent to cross the street. Additionally, drivers are reminded not to use mobile phones while driving and to avoid parking on sidewalks or crosswalks, which can obstruct children’s view of oncoming traffic.
The Agency for Traffic Safety also highlights the importance of driver awareness throughout the year, not just at the start of the school term. They stress that a few seconds of patience and reduced speed can be crucial for a child’s safety. The agency calls on drivers to adhere to traffic regulations and ensure every child can safely travel to and from school.
This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to improve road safety for children in Serbia, building on previous campaigns that have consistently focused on enhancing driver awareness in school areas. While the effectiveness of these new regulations in reducing accidents remains to be seen, the emphasis on increased enforcement and public awareness is a step towards creating safer environments for young students.
