Keeping children safe as they make their way to and from school is a shared responsibility, so with the school year underway, East Gippsland Shire Council is calling on every road user to drive with care.
School speed zones apply from 8.00 am to 9.30 am and 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm weekdays during school term. Speed zones apply regardless of when individual schools are operating. During these times, the speed limit is 40kph on a road where the speed limit is normally 80kph or lower and 60kph where the limit is normally 80kph or higher.
When a crossing supervisor displays a stop sign or when pedestrians are crossing, drivers must stop in front of the first white line and wait until the supervisor or pedestrians are clear of the crossing before proceeding.
Keeping children safe also means following rules set by local schools and maintaining an awareness of surroundings, this includes:
– Taking care when passing parked school buses, don’t pass if the lights are flashing
– Using designated drop-off and pick-up areas
– Observing local parking restrictions and the road rules
– Never double parking or parking in a bus bay.
Mayor Cr Tom Crook said parents and guardians have a responsibility to keep children safe all the way to the school gates.
“The road safety message is stop, look, listen and think,” Cr Crook said. “That means reminding children to stop, look and listen before crossing a road and to keep checking for vehicles until safely across.”
Report safety issues around school crossings in East Gippsland Shire on (03) 5153 9500.
New crossing for Bairnsdale Secondary College
To enhance safety for students accessing Bairnsdale Secondary College, a new project will soon start on McKean Street. Council is installing two pedestrian crossings near the school, with plans for additional safety measures on the bus loop road. The civil works tender has been awarded and Council will ensure that contractors minimise disruption, providing updates on the project through the website.
