AS school returns after the summer break, Port Stephens Council rangers will be reminding drivers to pay attention to the road signs to help keep children safe in school zones.

Council’s Environmental Health and Compliance Coordinator Marc Goodall says it’s all about education.

“At the start of the school year, our rangers take the opportunity to educate drivers — particularly those dropping their kids off for the first time — about the different signs and rules around school zones,” Mr Goodall said.

“We focus on educating drivers by issuing warnings and helping them to understand why the rules are in place. Our rangers will be handing out information flyers to encourage safe parking around schools.

“People often don’t realise that if you park in the wrong spot, you can obstruct the vision of other drivers, which can make it really unsafe for pedestrians.

“We’re asking all drivers in school zones to slow down, pay attention to the signs and do the right thing.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about making sure our local children can get to and from school safely,” he said.

What do the signs mean?

No parking or ‘kiss and drop’ means you can drop your child off here but you must either stay in the car or within 3 metres of the car.

Mobility sticker permit holders may stop for up to 5 minutes.

No stopping means you cannot drop your child off here.

Medical or other emergency stopping is permitted only.

Bus Zone means you cannot stop here unless driving a bus.

Children cannot be dropped here unless they are arriving by bus.

Some signs only apply at certain times, so please check the signs for details.