Road and rail safety plea ahead of school year

The Palaszczuk Government is urging parents, students and other road users to take extra care on roads, particularly around railway crossings, ahead of the start of the 2018 school year next week (Monday, 22 January).

Acting Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Ryan said the Government’s ‘back to school’ safety reminder came after the release of CCTV footage of near misses at railway crossings throughout 2017 – many of which involved school students or workers dashing to catch their train or to try and beat the boom gates.

“As the school year resumes, roads consequently become busier, and we begin rushing between school drop-offs, work and other commitments, we’re urging parents, students and other road users to be patient and pay attention to the signs, signals and road rules in place, particularly at railway crossings,” he said.

“In 2017, almost 200 near misses with cars, pedestrians or cyclists were reported at railway crossings across Queensland Rail’s network.

“It may seem like a good idea to try and beat the boom gates, or to push through pedestrian gates to try and make your train, but with trains on the Queensland Rail network travelling up to 140 kilometres per hour and unable to quickly stop or swerve, it can take only a matter of seconds for a near miss to turn into a tragedy.

“Absolutely every near miss Queensland Rail experienced last year was avoidable, so we’re urging road users to stay safe in 2018, obey the signs and signals in place and ensure you’re setting the right example for those around you, particularly students who can often be impressionable.

“Last year, Queensland Rail visited more than 120 schools across South East Queensland to educate students on the importance of safety at stations and railway crossings, and the team will soon be hitting the classrooms again to continue to roll out these important messages in 2018.

“Ahead of classes resuming next week, we ask parents to also take the time to ensure their children know how to keep safe on their way to school, particularly if they’re catching public transport, walking or cycling independently to school for the first time.

“I also want to ask motorists travelling home after spending time away during the holidays to avoid the Fatal Five – distraction, speeding, drink and drug driving, failure to wear a seatbelt and driving while fatigued – so they arrive home safely.”

Minister for Education Grace Grace said school zones would recommence from Monday, 22 January, with the return of classes, and she reminded motorists to slow down and be aware of children crossing.

“This is an exciting and anxious time of year for many children starting their first year of school. We want every child – whether it’s their first or last year of school - to get there safely,” she said.

“Drivers can help by slowing down, being aware of pedestrians and adhering to the speed limit.

“Most school zones in Queensland operate between 7am to 9am and 2pm to 4pm but some regional councils have slightly different times, so we encourage people to check the school zone times in their areas.

“The Palaszczuk Government is continuing to invest in the safety of school zones, with more than 775 schools across Queensland now equipped with flashing school zone signs to heighten driver awareness, and a further 100 schools set to receive the technology over the next three years with $4 million allocated to this program in the 2017-18 State Budget.

“We are also continuing to invest in the supervised school crossing scheme, with 1226 crossings at 682 schools across Queensland currently staffed by about 1932 crossing supervisors.”

For more information on Queensland Rail’s Railsmart school education program, visit queenslandrail.com.au/railsmart

For more information on school zones and a list of standardised times for each council, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/schoolzones

Back to school travel tips for parents and carers:

• Speak with your child about rail safety and the importance of paying attention to signs and signals at railway crossings. Students should never enter a railway crossing if the red lights are flashing or the pedestrian gate is closed.
• Visit the TransLink Journey Planner to help your child plan their journey to school via public transport, and ensure they have a valid student go card before travelling.
• If walking or cycling, ensure your child knows the safest route to and from school, with the fewest roads to cross and the least traffic, and teach them to always walk on footpaths.
• Show your child how to cross at traffic lights when the green 'walk' sign is showing, at pedestrian crossings when vehicles have stopped and at supervised school crossings.
• Accompany children when walking or riding to school until they are old enough to understand road safety (usually about 10 years or older)
• If children catch the bus, teach them to never cross in front of or behind a bus; wait until the bus goes before crossing the road.
• Make sure wheeled devices (bicycle, scooter, skateboard, or rollerblades) used to travel to school are well maintained and that the appropriate protective and safety gear (for example, helmet, visible clothing, knee and elbow pads) are used.
• Obey school zone speed limits.

ENDS

 

Media contact: Dominic Geiger 0447 355 565