Bunbury school bus caught speeding

A Bunbury bus driver taking children home from school was among several drivers fined for speeding during the first week back at school last week.

As South West traffic police focused on school zones, a drink-driver was also among those apprehended while speeding through a 40kmh zone.

About 3pm on Friday a 52-year-old Geographe man was recorded driving a school bus occupied by students at 53kmh in a 40kmh zone at Washington Avenue in Bunbury.

The bus was stopped by police and the man received a $200 fine and two demerit points.

South West traffic acting officer-in-charge Sgt Rob Malcolm said the driver told police he had lost track of time and was unaware he was within the school zone.

"It's not common that we will catch heavy vehicles speeding through school zones, but it does happen," Sgt Malcolm said.

Also on Friday afternoon a 55-year-old Carey Park man was recorded at 55kmh at the Washington Avenue 40kmh school zone.

Sgt Malcolm said the driver tested positive to a preliminary breath test and was taken to Bunbury Police Station where he recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.092.

The man has since appeared in Bunbury Magistrate's Court where he pleaded guilty to one charge of driving in excess of 0.08 and one charge of speeding.

He was fined a total of $838.50 and had his licence disqualified for seven months.

Sgt Malcolm said a drink-driver speeding in a school zone was a concern.

"Any apprehension of a drink-driver is concerning to police, but it is a positive my officers were in the right place at the right time and apprehended the offender," Sgt Malcolm said.

He said while drivers were "generally well behaved" during the first week back to school, police would continue to focus on school zones.

"In the first week back you get a mixture of drivers who, because it's the first week back, it's in the forefront of their minds," he said.

"Then, there are the others who have forgotten that school has gone back.

He said children were vulnerable road users and could be unpredictable or naive.

"We ask that all drivers take care and parents share the responsibility to make sure their children know how to cross roads safely," he said.