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Slow Down In School Zones

In the past three years, eight * children (0 – 15 years) have died on our roads as pedestrians. In that same period nearly 300* children (0 – 15 years) have been seriously injured.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 14th July 2009 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council and RoadSafe are working together to remind people of the importance of school speed zones.

"We want to remind all road users that schools are operating again and that means timed school speed zones are also back in operation," said Peter Laydon, Community Safety Manager.

"If you took out 300 kids from a school, many of our schools would have no students left. It really is scary when you think about it in those terms."

Research shows that young children do not have the skills and experience to be safe in traffic on their own. RoadSafe and Council are urging all parents and carers to be vigilant with children in their care when near the road.

To be a safe pedestrian you must Stop, Look, Listen and Think.

• STOP one step back from the kerb or shoulder of the road if there is no footpath.
• LOOK in all directions for approaching traffic.
• LISTEN in all directions for approaching traffic.
• THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road – when the road is clear or all traffic has stopped.

· When crossing, walk straight across the road. Keep LOOKING and LISTENING for traffic while crossing.

Cr Veronica Dowman is the Chairperson of the South Gippsland RoadSafe committee.

"Children in traffic can be unpredictable and because they’re small, can be hard to see," stressed Cr Dowman.

"All drivers should take extra care, slow down when you drive past a school and be RoadSafe."

Remember, if you are near a school around start and finish times the speed limit might have changed to as low as 40kph.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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