Liberal call for flashing lights

Liberal representative for Peats, Ms Debra Wales, has called on the State Government to install flashing warning lights at all main road school pedestrian crossings during school hours.

Ms Wales wants to further improve pedestrian safety for school children and reduce the number of speeding motorists.

"There is no doubt that vehicle speeds must be reduced adjacent to schools and the new 40 kph speed limits have certainly helped," Ms Wales said.

"However, we need to go further and install flashing warning lights at main road school pedestrian crossings during school hours to warn motorists that the 40kph speed limits apply.

"There are still far too many motorists being fined for speeding through school zones, some of whom are oblivious that the speed limit applies.

"It is often easy to get caught out simply because you haven't noted the time of day," Ms Wales said.

"In those cases where the State Government has installed speed cameras, you have to wonder whether the cameras are there simply as a revenue source.

"Surely with the revenue that the speed cameras have produced, the installation of the flashing lights system could be subsidised."

Mrs Wales said that many residents had approached her with concerns that the safety of school children should be put before the revenue generated from the speed cameras.

"In the cases of South Woy Woy Primary on Ocean Beach Rd and Woy Woy Primary on Blackwall Rd where speed cameras have been installed, flashing warning lights should be provided that can be activated by the school crossing monitors during the designated school times."

"It's not unreasonable and should be implemented," she said.

Press release, April 28