It’s back to school time again, and local groups are reminding Coasties to slow down and keep an eye out for kids.
NSW Ambulance says that the first week of term time usually has the highest number of incidents involving children, and tragically this has been brought home with the death of a 5 year old girl on the Central Coast on the first day of Term 2.
According to figures released by Transport for NSW Centre for Road Safety, for the past 2 years April has been the month with the highest number of road related deaths across the state.
In 2016 there was an increase in fatal accidents involving pedestrians (up from 60 to 69), an increase too in the number of accidents on roads with posted speeds of 60kph or under (up from 54 to 72)
There was also an increase in the number of fatal accidents during peak school drop off/pick up times.
In the past month alone
- A 6 year-old boy suffered injuries to his face, arms and legs after being hit by a car outside Haberfield Public School in Sydney’s inner west
- A teenager was hit by a truck on his way to school in Rockhampton in Queensland
- An 8 y.o. boy sustained a head wound and fractured leg after being hit by a car on his way home from school in Dapto
- A 7 y.o. old girl suffered critical injuries after being hit by a car in Salisbury SA on her way to school
- A 13 y.o. boy was hit and killed less than 100 metres from his home while making his way to school in north-west Melbourne
And now the most recent loss of life near Wyong on Wednesday afternoon.
The accident occurred at the end of the school day on Hastings Street in Rocky Point when a 5 y.o. girl was struck by a passing truck after she got off her bus and attempted to cross the road.
A report is being prepared for the coroner, anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
With 58 Public Primary schools, 16 State Secondary schools, 31 Private schools, and thousands of school students across the Coast, it’s vital that drivers obey the designated speed in school zones- also around bus stops before and after school.
Most residential streets have a speed limit of 50 km/h. According to Transport NSW “All schools in NSW have at least one set of school zone flashing lights.” Currently, Point Clare is the only school on the Central Coast without a 40 km/h speed limit. Advocates for safety around the school have been campaigning hard to get that corrected, especially after recent accidents and too many near-misses in the area.
Ahead of the Gosford by-election earlier this month Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a $23 million roads package for the Central Coast, including $2 million to improve safety along Brisbane Water Drive around Point Clare School, including the installation of safety barriers and pedestrian fencing near Talinga Avenue and Takari Avenue, and approval for a school zone.
Many reported incidents involving traffic and pedestrians occurred near schools, causing injuries ranging from cuts and grazes to fractures and head trauma, and sadly, some fatalities.
Transport NSW states that “Road Safety is taught in the learning area of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE). All students in NSW study PDHPE from Kindergarten to Year 10.”
Additionally, the Ambulance Service of NSW offers the following advice to parents and carers and those driving around schools or bus stops:
- Adhere to speed limits: School zones are 40km/hr.
- Only stop in designated stopping zones. Drop off/pick up on the same side of the road as the school: If you have to park on the other side of the school, escort your children to and from the school grounds.
- Look right, look left and look right again: Cross the road safely by only using pedestrian crossings, or designated crossings, and following the instructions of traffic controllers. Children should hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road or in a car park.
- Never assume a vehicle will stop for children on a crossing: Many accidents have occurred at pedestrian crossings. Always wait for vehicles to come to a complete stop before crossing. Drivers are reminded to slow down, and check before you drive through.
NSW Ambulance also encourages parents to educate their children about how to be a safe pedestrian:
- Children up to 8 years of age should hold an adult’s hand on the footpath, in the car park, and when crossing the road.
- Always use pedestrian crossings if available. Avoid crossing between parked cars or at the front or back of buses.
- At traffic lights, make sure that vehicles stop before you start to cross, and don’t enter the road if vehicles are moving through the crossing.
- Never assume that an approaching vehicle can see you, or will stop for you. Wait until all vehicles have stopped before you start to cross the road.
- Make sure your children are aware of, understand and follow traffic safety regulations when they are walking.
- Teach your children to be aware of their environment: for example, wearing headphones or getting distracted by playing with friends on the way to or from school can make them more vulnerable to accidents.
- Never call your child across the road.
- Set a good example. Parents/care givers are the best road safety teachers.
- Make sure your own driving and parking are not endangering your own or others’ children. Obey all parking signs and speed limits, and always be on the lookout for the unexpected. Many traffic safety issues around schools arise from the driving and parking behaviour of parents.
Star104.5 offers our condolences to the family of the young girl tragically lost this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.
