By ANEEKA SIMONIS
STUDENT safety is at the top of the list for both political parties who have announced they will install electronic speed limit signs and change speed zones around schools in the hills.
Monbulk Labor Member James Merlino together with Shadow Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan last week said flashing speed limit signs would be installed on the roads surrounding Selby Primary School, Mount Dandenong Primary School and The Patch Primary School to alert drivers entering the school zone.
The zone changes were also announced by Eastern Victoria Region MP Andrew Ronalds, who said the $200,000 project would also see the installation of a new footpath from the school to Long Pockitt Lane.
Mr Ronalds said measures such as installing electronic signs could go a long way to improving the safety of students, and ensured that they were travelling in the safest environments possible.
“Although a current 40km/h school speed zone is already in place in the vicinity of the school along Belgrave-Gembrook Road, the inclusion of electronic signs will mean that drivers will be more alert
to the fact they are travelling in a school zone,” Mr Ronalds said.
“Cars come sweeping at speed along the roads that lead to the schools. There are regular stories of near misses – this is a huge safety concern,” Mr Merlino said.
Selby Primary School’s principal Justin Butler said student safety had been put in danger along the winding roads in the past.
“We have had accidents where cars have crashed into neighbours’ front yard. Crossing supervisors have had near misses and had to retreat, push the kids back from the crossing as cars come flying around the corner.
“Fortunately, no one has been hurt but it is a major concern and only a matter of time that someone gets cleaned up,” Mr Butler said.
Mr Donnellan said the most frequent speed offenders “were doing around 15-20 kilometres over the speed limit on the roads in the area rather than just a couple of kilometres over. That means drivers are doing up to 80km/h in the school zone.”
Mr Merlino said the plan had been four years in the making but halted by road authorities and the State Government.
“VicRoads has said if the school is not directly on the main road than they’re not eligible for signage but the issue of safety remains whether a piece of land stands between the road and the school or not,” he said.
Parent of a Selby Primary School student Rob Gollin said speed signs would restore his confidence in letting his son walk to son.
“At the moment, I choose to drive my son to school because the main road is not suited for kids to walk along.
“I’d certainly feel comfortable to let my son walk to school with the speed lights installed,” Gollin said.
Funding for the school safety sign program which included installations for new flashing signs was quashed by the Liberal Government in June 2012.
After being rejected for flashing speed zone signs two years earlier, Butler is happy that Selby Primary School’s concerns for road safety are being addressed.
“It has been a concern for some time but we are fortunate that we are getting support,” he said.
All three schools will have two electronic speed signs located at either end of the main road that opens up to the school.
Mount Dandenong Primary school will also have its speed limit changed from 60km/h to 40km/h during school times and minor edging work will be done at Selby Primary School to ensure drivers make a clear distinction between the road and footpath leading to the school.
