Senior police have been left astounded by the number of speeding drivers in school zones across Queensland.

Data from the Department of Transport and Main Roads shows more than 6800 drivers have been caught speeding through school zones in Queensland in just the first six months of the year, with 57 recording speeds more than 30km over the limit.

Acting superintendent of the Road Policing Group, Steve Donnelly, said police were forced to patrol and conduct operations to catch drivers behaving badly.

He said there was no excuse.

“The fact we are detecting so many of these high speeds in school zones is very disappointing, and as you mentioned some of those high speeds were very concerning,” he said.

He said it was “astounding” drivers were unable to assess the risk themselves.

He also encouraged members of the community to report high-risk areas with speedsters.

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