FOLLOW TRAFFIC SIGNS: Drivers are asked to be more alert and patient from next week when school returns in the Forbes Shire. Parents, carers and school staff are also reminded to reinforce road and safety rules with children.
The new school year is set to resume for thousands of local students next week and Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding local drivers and parents about children’s safety around schools.
The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that road crashes account for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old.
“Children are vulnerable road users because of their size and their inability to judge speed and distance,” said Ms Suitor.
“Drivers are reminded to slow down, pay extra attention and be patient when school resumes.”
There are 40km/h school speed zones around all schools in NSW. Most school zones are operational between 8am – 9.30am and 2.30pm – 4pm on school days, when the lights are flashing.
Police will be targeting school zones when school returns.
Parents and carers should:
• Always make sure your children wear a seatbelt or use a child restraint when travelling in a car. Child restraint laws require children up to seven years old to be restrained in an approved child restraint. For more information visit www. childcarseats.com.au
• Where possible, drop-off and pick-up your children on the school side of the road.
• Make sure children use the footpath-side door when getting in and out of a car -this is called the ‘safety door’.
• Use a pedestrian crossing where possible and avoid being distracted whilst walking.
• Children aged up to 10 years old should always be supervised when near traffic.
• Children aged up to eight years old should always hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road or walking near traffic.
• Make sure your children always wear a helmet when riding a bike.
• If your children catch a bus, always walk with them to the bus stop.