Little Blue Dinosaur comes to the Southern Highlands
Wingecarribee Shire Council and the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation are joining forces this December to raise awareness of the importance of child road safety.
The foundation was set up by Michelle and David McLaughlin in 2014 after their young son was tragically killed in a pedestrian accident while on holidays.
As part of the campaign, ‘Holiday Time: Slow Down, Kids Around’ signage will be erected at locations popular with children these summer school holidays.
Council’s Road Safety Officer Melanie Lausz urged motorists to heed the campaign and slow down over summer.
“The Southern Highlands can become very busy with families and visitors over the holiday period,” she said.
“Children in particular can become quickly caught up in the holiday spirit and forget to take care around roads.”
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Ken Halstead said the signage would serve as a reminder for parents.
“The holidays provide an opportunity to remind our children and grandchildren of the importance of road safety,” he said. “This is especially important if they’re visiting a new or unfamiliar area.”
“Children are our most vulnerable road users so I urge all parents and carers to hold the hands of children when on or near roads until they are at least ten years of age.
“Older children should also be supervised because they too can’t always identify safe places to cross the road.”
Mayor Halstead will join Michelle and David McLaughlin at the local launch on Friday 1 December from 11.30am at Winifred West Park in Mittagong.
“Together with the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation we can all work together to create a safer environment for all children living in or visiting the Highlands these summer holidays.”
For more information about the foundation visit littlebluedinosaur.org.