Use school crossing money for Lone Pine Ave

Following my telephone conversation with an RMS officer regarding the installation of traffic lights at the Woy Woy South primary school pedestrian crossing, located on Ocean Beach Rd, I strongly oppose this idea.

The lights would cause traffic mayhem; children of all ages would attempt to cross on the pedestrian crossing and halt the flow of traffic at repeated intervals, with no semblance of order at all in the nominated school crossing times.

Why would the RMS change a system which is working perfectly well?

The lollipop lady has complete control and, always with a courteous smile, gathers children and parents into small groups and safely escorts them across the pedestrian crossing, thereupon causing the very least disruption to the safety of pedestrians and the smooth flow-on of traffic.

As the speed camera has been de-commissioned, the RMS officer I spoke with informed me that by installing traffic lights, it would increase the safe crossing of students.

I travel through this area many times during the day, both at flashing light times, and throughout the day.

What I have noticed is that when the school flashing lights are illuminated, I have never witnessed any motorist speeding through this area at all, and with the lollipop person in control, it portrays the human element of kindness and teaches children about respect and good manners.

Out of school crossing hours, I have never seen anyone at all use this pedestrian crossing.

By installing these traffic signals, you have another set of signals 70 meters further on at the intersection of McMasters Rd and Ocean Beach Rd.

Two sets of lights within a small space would cause gridlock, especially when every single child would have to stop the traffic flow to cross safely.

Leave the lady in charge of the crossing to carefully control the safe passage of the children to and from school.

One also has to consider the cost of these lights.

Surely this waste of taxpayers' money could be better managed by improving the disgraceful condition of the Peninsula roads.

If the RMS wishes to ensure the safety of pedestrians, then have a good look at the pedestrian crossing located at Lone Pine Ave and Ocean Beach Rd.

Now this is a dangerous crossing.

I have witnessed pedestrians actually being struck by cars failing to take the necessary precautions when approaching this crossing.

People are continually running the gauntlet attempting to cross there.

Vehicles do not slow down when approaching this crossing, and pedestrians are very cautious when doing so.

Email, 8 Dec 2013

Ventry Bowden, Woy Woy