Released 19/03/2018
One week in our new School Crossing Supervisors are helping to make Canberra’s busiest school zones even safer by assisting children to cross the road at 20 crossings.
Minister for Transport and City Services Meegan Fitzharris said feedback from the new program has been overwhelmingly positive, with principals, teachers and students loving the added safety and resources to keep kids safe to and from school.
Minister Fitzharris visited one of the busiest crossings today – the pedestrian crossing at Lyneham Primary School – which has benefited from having a School Crossing Supervisor.
“It’s great that our School Crossing Supervisors have started at the beginning of the school term, at sites extending from Conder in the south, here at Lyneham and at Amaroo in the north,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“We know road safety is the number one barrier preventing parents from allowing their children to walk or ride to school each day, so programs like this really help give parents confidence their kids will be safe.”
Lyneham Primary School Principal Annamaria Zuffo said the school is excited to have a supervisor working on the Brigalow Street crossing.
“Our school community was delighted to hear that Lyneham Primary School will benefit from a crossing supervisor, particularly given the high traffic in the area. After just one week the parents and children see the supervisor as part of the school community. We hope it gives parents an additional assurance that their children will arrive safely at school each day,” Ms Zuffo said.
“School Crossing Supervisors are another piece of the puzzle to help kids lead active and healthy lives. We also have our Ride or Walk to School program and Active Streets for Schools which both encourage more children to use active travel to get to school via a safe route,” said Minister Fitzharris.
While the School Crossing Supervisor program is still new, motorists need to be extra vigilant around school zones.
“Motorists should be extra careful when driving through school zones to ensure our most vulnerable road users, children, remain safe.
“I’d like to encourage the community to really embrace this new initiative, and for parents to act as role models for children by following their School Crossing Supervisor’s instructions,” said Minister Fitzharris.
Crossing supervisors work for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon on school days, with the start and finish times based around the individual school start and finish times. The program focuses on schools with infant, primary or special needs children and includes public, Catholic and independent schools.
For a full list of the supervised crossings and more information visit www.transport.act.gov.au.
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases
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