The budget investment announced Monday will fund the expansion of the lower limit to 165 warden-controlled school crossings outside existing designated school zones.
The state government will spend $10 million to expand school zones and crossing program.Joe Armao
Electronic speed limit signage will be installed at 93 sites where current speed limits are 60 km/h or above,and static signage at 72 locations where speed limits are currently 50 km/h.
The new limits will align with existing school zone periods:7.30am-9am and 2.30pm-4pm during school terms.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the program was to improve the safety of both children and traffic wardens.
“Creating safer road environments encourages parents and children to embrace more active modes of travel to and from school,” she said.
Road Safety Minister David Michael said Main Roads WA would deliver the program over the coming years.
“The $10 million is being made available from the Road Trauma Trust Account,which means fines from speed and red-light cameras are being used,” he said.
“Feedback from traffic wardens is that they have been really concerned about driver behaviour and most have a story to tell.”
Ardross Primary School P&C president Cindy Webster has been advocating for improved road safety around the school for seven years after several near misses involving students trying to cross near the busy corner of Drew Road and Riseley Street.
“It’s pretty mental with more cars on the road and speeding,” she said.
“For kids trying to get across the road on their own it really is just wait,or try and cross when you can.”
Last month,police issued caught speeding in a school zone in Peppermint Grove.
Police said about 1400 vehicles that passed through the crossing managed by two wardens on Stirling Highway near McNeil Street between 2.40pm-4pm,February 22.
Of those,401 sped through the school zone,with 281 drivers exceeding the school zone limit by 10-19 km/h.
Twenty-six motorists exceeded the limit by 20-29 km/h and two exceeded the limit by 30 to 39km/h over the 40km/h zone.
There were almost 600 category A children’s crossings throughout the state,staffed by wardens funded and provided by WA Police,a spokesman said.
He said recruiting and keeping these wardens was a challenge for the Children’s Crossings Unit.
Sites identified as priorities for electronic signage this year:
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