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School Crossing Supervisors

East Gippsland Shire Council’s Community Laws Unit has received some disturbing feedback from many of the region’s School Crossing Supervisors, relating to some drivers’ bad habits and lack of care.

By East Gippsland Shire Council - 23rd March 2004 - Back to News

Eleven crossings are staff operated through the Shire, the most being in Bairnsdale.

At a recent meeting of all School Crossing Supervisors, the following issues were raised:

  • There is a growing list of motorists driving in an unsafe manner, jeopardising the safety of children and other motorists. This includes driving through a crossing while a pedestrian and/or supervisor is still on the roadway;
  • On recent occasions there have been rear-end collisions, including a time when a fridge on the back of a ute fell off and literally skated through the crossing;
  • Cars have been speeding through crossings, running up the kerb and knocking the post that holds the red flags out of the ground;
  • In peak traffic times, cars are stopping on the crossing instead of before the crossing, therefore choking the site;
  • When parking is not available, cars are stopping in the middle of the road waiting for a space to become free and holding up the rest of traffic behind them and causing chaos at the crossing site;
  • Some motorists are inappropriately using pick up and drop off zones. These areas are to allow parents to drop off and pick up children for a period of only three minutes and the driver must remain within three metres of their car;
  • At one of the sites controlled by traffic lights, the number of vehicles that race through on the red light has been alarming.

"Whilst most primary school age children using the crossing set a good example for the rest of the community, it is disconcerting to see some parents / adults and secondary school children not using these facilities," said Shire Community Laws Coordinator, Daryl Townsend.

"These crossings are for all pedestrians to use and we encourage the community to take full advantage of them.

"Our School Crossing Supervisors are on site every day - rain, hail or shine - to provide a safer passage across the road at the more busier school sites.

"It is disheartening to see motorists (some of whom are parents) driving in a very irresponsible and dangerous manner.

"Council's Community Laws Unit has passed these concerns on to Police, and along with our Community Laws Officers and School Crossing Supervisors, we will be documenting and recording any inappropriate behaviour from now on and passing that information on to Police for follow up action.

"Any parking breaches will also incur on the spot fines from our parking officer.

"We urge all motorists to be aware when they are approaching a children’s crossing site. They are well marked with advance warning signs. Drivers must also wait until the roadway is clear of all pedestrians before accelerating again.

"In addition, spare a thought for the supervisors. Every time they step out on to the road, their lives and the lives of the children are in motorists’ hands," Daryl said.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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