The new school year has resumed for thousands of local students in Parkes, Forbes 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. 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.”
“Drivers are reminded to slow down, pay extra attention and be patient when schoolresumes as there are more cars, buses and cyclists on the road and young pedestrians crossing the streets. Over the long summer break it is easy to forget just how busy and congested the streets around schools can get.”
Obey the parking signs around schools.
They are there to keep children safe. 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.