Safety starts with “S” and begins with “You”

All motorists are reminded to be aware of reduced speed limits around schools, and both motorists and pedestrians are encouraged to ‘Stop, Look, Listen and Think’ when using or driving around school zones.

The safety of students travelling to and from school, and the protection of our School Crossing Supervisors, is one of the most important issues for our community. There are 43 entrusted School Crossing supervisors employed by Wellington Shire Council, who ensure the safe arrival and departure of children at their schools. There is only one unsupervised crossing within Sale. The Supervisors do a magnificent job controlling the Crossing Zones at the busiest times of the day, however motorists and those dropping off and collecting children also make a huge contribution towards safety around our schools.

Drivers are reminded when approaching school crossings, to drive at a speed at which the driver can, if necessary, stop safely before the crossing. The driver must also stop at the crossing if a hand-held sign is displayed at the crossing, or a pedestrian is on or entering the crossing. If a driver stops at a children’s crossing for a hand-held stop sign, the driver must not proceed until the holder of the sign no longer displays the sign towards the driver or otherwise indicates that the driver must proceed. If a driver stops at a children’s crossing for a pedestrian, the driver must not proceed until there is no pedestrian on or entering the crossing.

To help keep our kids and Crossing Supervisors stay safe, it is important for drivers to:

• Slow down and take care around schools and pedestrian crossings.
• Meet your child at the school gate (if possible) to avoid your child dashing across the road. If picking your child up from a bus stop, wait on the same side as the bus.
• Obey the school zone speed restrictions. A permanent 40km/h zones between 8:00 to 9.30am and 2.30 to 4:00pm on school days applies.
• When flags are displayed at a crossing, you must stop for all pedestrians who are waiting to cross or have started crossing. You must remain stopped until the crossing is clear. These rules apply even if there are no crossing supervisors.
• 'No Parking’ signs allow you to stop to drop-off or pick up children if you are not stopped for more than 2 minutes.
• ‘No Stopping’ signs mean you are not permitted to stop at the kerb for any reason, and
• Bus Zones call for extra care as buses will be regularly stopping and children may be trying to cross the road nearby.

For more information about community road safety, please contact Wellington Shire Council Municipal Services on 1300 366 244.

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