Published Tuesday, 23 September, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Smart signs make Hervey Bay safer for students
Safety will be improved for students of two Hervey Bay schools when they return from holidays, with Main Roads installing special safety signs and lights this week to remind motorists they are entering a school zone.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said representatives from Yarrilee State School and Xavier Catholic College in Hervey Bay met with the department earlier this year, in an effort to discuss ways of improving road safety near both schools.
“A commitment was made to install flashing school zone signs on Pialba-Burrum Heads Road as a way of advising motorists to continue to drive carefully near the two schools,” Mr Pitt said.
"These lights will be an effective way of helping to lower vehicle speeds, while making sure motorists pay extra attention during school drop-off and pick-up times.”
Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said the flashing signs were the first of their kind to be installed in the Wide Bay-Burnett region.
"The lights will flash periodically at the regular school pick-up and drop-off times, between f 8am and 9am and 2.30 to 3.30pm each week day," Mr McNamara said.
"They have been installed in the school zone and are programmed to match the school calendar, so they will flash only during the defined semester periods."
Mr Pitt said the safety technology had successfully been in service in other parts of Queensland for the last five years.
"This technology is tried and tested and is an effective way to remind motorists to reduce speed when they are nearing school zones, " he said.
Mr McNamara said the signs were solar-powered, requiring no electricity to operate, and were waterproof and highly visible in all weather conditions.
"I am pleased Main Roads is able to deliver this safety initiative, as part of the government's commitment to improving driving conditions and safety for motorists and the community," Mr McNamara said.
Contact: Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mr McNamara’s Electorate Office 4124 1386
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said representatives from Yarrilee State School and Xavier Catholic College in Hervey Bay met with the department earlier this year, in an effort to discuss ways of improving road safety near both schools.
“A commitment was made to install flashing school zone signs on Pialba-Burrum Heads Road as a way of advising motorists to continue to drive carefully near the two schools,” Mr Pitt said.
"These lights will be an effective way of helping to lower vehicle speeds, while making sure motorists pay extra attention during school drop-off and pick-up times.”
Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said the flashing signs were the first of their kind to be installed in the Wide Bay-Burnett region.
"The lights will flash periodically at the regular school pick-up and drop-off times, between f 8am and 9am and 2.30 to 3.30pm each week day," Mr McNamara said.
"They have been installed in the school zone and are programmed to match the school calendar, so they will flash only during the defined semester periods."
Mr Pitt said the safety technology had successfully been in service in other parts of Queensland for the last five years.
"This technology is tried and tested and is an effective way to remind motorists to reduce speed when they are nearing school zones, " he said.
Mr McNamara said the signs were solar-powered, requiring no electricity to operate, and were waterproof and highly visible in all weather conditions.
"I am pleased Main Roads is able to deliver this safety initiative, as part of the government's commitment to improving driving conditions and safety for motorists and the community," Mr McNamara said.
Contact: Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mr McNamara’s Electorate Office 4124 1386