School Zone Safety

In response to safety concerns about traffic in the Darlington PS School Zone we have formed a working group to address the issues.

The problem:  Many parents and students have almost been hit by drivers that don't slow down or stop at the pedestrian crossings within the designated School Zone.

Desired solution: Pedestrian crossing supervisors, improved signage including flashing lights, and a holistic approach to solving the issue.

Actions taken so far:

• Every year the school has applied to the Roads & Maritime Services for Crossing Supervisors who can stop traffic and shepherd children across the pedestrian crossings. So far they have rejected our requests.
• A volunteer parent crossing roster has been created, with parents helping children cross the road - however we have no authority and volunteers at times are almost hit or verbally abused by drivers.
• Letters sent to the Minister for Roads & Ports, and cceed to relevant people across different levels of government. Phone calls and meetings to people (or those in contact with them) to elevate this issue.
• Drafted a petition in case we need it.

Current status: Flashing lights will be installed in September 2014, however no other support has been offered in the interim or in addition to this. The working group is in conversation with multiple levels of government to try and get the issue addressed, and if it is not resolved soon we will launch an online petition and involve the media.

Safety Tips For Parents

To help keep our kids safe, please

• Escort younger kids across crossings rather than dropping them off and observing from your car.
• Use the roundabout to make turns: illegal U turns near crossings over double lines are unsafe.
• Don’t stop in the road at the crossings to drop off your kids, this blocks other drivers’ view of them and other children.

Crossing Duty Volunteers

In the absence of an official "Lollypop person", you may have seen the parent volunteer assistants in hi-vis vests attending at the two pedestrian crossings nearest the school. The role of the assistants is to increase driver awareness of the crossings by providing a clear, visible adult presence.

This role is informal and assistants have no authority to stop or direct traffic or pedestrians, but we have found that their presence effectively calms traffic by causing cars to slow down and check their driving environment.

Ideally we’d like to have two assistants present per crossing, morning and afternoon. It takes 30 minutes, and is done on a rotation basis so you can commit just for one session per week if that suits. Please contact us if you can help out.

Get involved

If you are interested in this issue and would like to get involved or provide feedback, please contact:

• Rebecca Shanahan rks@wideopen.net.au
• P&C darlo.parents@hotmail.com

Archive:

Post: Traffic Issues

This page will be updated as more information becomes available.