Resolve car park chaos Images courtesy of The Area Safe Group
By Rosie Clarke, Editor
Clear signage and road markings are vital for:
Parents on the school run, student drivers, staff rushing to secure a space before the madness begins… School car parks can be full of hazards. Even when school car parks are low-speed environments, everyone adhering to the speed limit, children are still at risk of serious injury as they are such vulnerable pedestrians. In fact, low-speed vehicle runovers in locations such as schools are responsible for too many tragic deaths and injuries. From 2001 to 2010, 29 child pedestrians were killed in what are deemed “non-traffic locations” outside of the home such as schools, universities, hospitals, prisons, factory premises and military
46
•
School zones, the areas around a school that enforce lesser speeds.
•
Separating quick pickup and drop-off areas where long-term parking is not permitted.
•
Student driver parking areas.
Further speed control camps where vehicles would be expected to be travelling at low speeds and performing lowspeed manoeuvres. Reflecting on this data in its report, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport notes that such accidents occurred in places that were considered a “safe haven” for children.
That’s why, in car parks and anywhere on school grounds it is essential to have appropriate signage, clear road lines, speed bumps and other lifesaving safety measures in place. Bollards, barriers, and boom gates can all help control traffic too.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Speed bumps are an effective tool. Unlike signage, which might be missed or misread, speed bumps are designed to jolt and alert a speedy driver. Studies show speed bumps decrease the likelihood of accidents and they are especially effective in school car parks.
Term 4, 2022 | school-news.com.au
