The school zone in Bushman Street, Parkes, is operational all day from 8am – 4pm.
The new school year is set to resume for thousands of local students next week and Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding local drivers and parents about children’s safety around schools.
Councils Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said “Road crashes account for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old. Children are vulnerable road users. They are at risk in the traffic environment because of their size, their inability to judge speed and distance, as well as the fact that they may behave unpredictably.”
Parents and carers should:
• Please 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
• 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 by friends, mobile phones or listening to music through headphones 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.
“Road safety around schools is everybody’s responsibility,” said Melanie.