Road safety reminder as school heads back
Wingecarribee Shire Council is reminding motorists to slow down and travel safely around schools, with school zones coming back into effect for the new school term.
Term two officially commenced on Monday 29 April 2019.
Council’s Road Safety Officer Melanie Lausz said drivers must slow to 40 kilometres per hour in school zones on weekdays from 8.00 to 9.30 am and 2.30 to 4.30 pm, unless otherwise signed.
“There is no excuse for putting our children’s lives at risk,” said Ms Lausz.
“Children are hard to see, can behave unpredictably and are our most vulnerable road users,” she said. “Their lack of road experience makes it difficult for them to judge dangerous situations so we’re relying on motorists to remain alert and vigilant.”
Motorists should familiarise themselves with school zone times, safe parking protocols, road rules and be alert to flashing lights on buses.
Bowral Public School Principal Mr Gary Graham said that poor driver behaviour, particularly on Bendooley Street, is of serious concern for teachers and parents of the school.
“Accidents in school zones can shake an entire community to its core,” he said. “I urge all drivers to heed traffic signals and drive cautiously around our schools.”
Mr Graham said it was also important that children are educated on safety-first practices during school drop-off and pick-up times.
For further information on keeping our students safe visit https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/schools/index.html or call Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Road Safety Officer on phone 4868 0888.