Cindy Webster, the president of the Ardross Primary School P&C, has been advocating for improved road safety near the school for seven years due to dangerous incidents involving students. She highlighted the challenges faced by children trying to cross busy roads on their own due to the increased number of cars and speeding drivers. Last month, police issued infringements to over 400 motorists caught speeding in a school zone in Peppermint Grove. Of the 1400 vehicles that passed through the crossing on Stirling Highway, 401 were caught speeding, with some drivers exceeding the limit by up to 39km/h.
There are nearly 600 category A children’s crossings throughout Western Australia, where wardens manage traffic flow and ensure safe crossing for students. These wardens are funded and provided by WA Police, but there are challenges in recruiting and retaining them, according to a police spokesman. In an effort to improve road safety in school zones, several sites have been identified as priorities for the installation of electronic signage this year. These include locations near schools such as Australian Islamic College, Banksia Grove Primary School, Churchlands Senior High School, and West Busselton Primary School, among others.
The issue of road safety around schools is not limited to Ardross Primary School, as highlighted by the recent crackdown on speeding motorists in Peppermint Grove. With the increase in the number of cars on the road and drivers exceeding speed limits in school zones, there is a pressing need for improved safety measures to protect students. The involvement of police in issuing infringements to speeding drivers demonstrates the seriousness of the issue and the importance of enforcing road safety laws to prevent accidents and protect vulnerable pedestrians.
Electronic signage is being considered as a solution to improve road safety in school zones, with several locations identified as priorities for installation this year. These signs can help alert drivers to reduce speed and be more cautious when approaching children’s crossings near schools. By implementing electronic signage at key locations, authorities hope to reduce the number of speeding motorists and increase awareness of the need to drive safely in school zones to protect students and prevent accidents.
In addition to electronic signage, the recruitment and retention of wardens to manage children’s crossings are crucial for maintaining road safety near schools. The challenges faced by the Children’s Crossings Unit in recruiting and keeping wardens highlight the need for ongoing support and resources to ensure that these crossings are staffed adequately. By addressing staffing issues and providing the necessary infrastructure, authorities can work towards creating safer environments for students to cross roads and travel to and from school.
Overall, the advocacy efforts of Cindy Webster and the Ardross Primary School P&C reflect a broader concern for road safety around schools in Western Australia. By raising awareness of the issues faced by students and advocating for improved safety measures, they are working towards creating safer environments for children to access education. Through a combination of enforcement actions, such as issuing infringements to speeding motorists, and the implementation of electronic signage and the recruitment of wardens, authorities can make significant progress in improving road safety in school zones and reducing the risk of accidents involving students.
