Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has announced improvements to four schools in the Cootamundra electorate as part of $10 million program boosting school zone safety.
Ariah Park Central School, St Patricks Catholic Primary School in Gundagai, Young Public School and Young High School have all received upgrades which will make crossing roads safer for students.
The project includes upgrades to pedestrian infrastructure at 140 schools as well as the addition of extra school zone flashing lights to more than 500 schools around the state.
“The safety of students is of paramount importance and these upgrades will help make sure the journey to and from school is a safe one,” said Ms Cooke.
“We all have a role to play when it comes to pedestrian safety, particularly when it comes to safety around schools, whether as drivers or as guardians looking after younger students,” she added.
Ariah Park Central School now has a pedestrian refuge with kerb blisters, St Patricks Catholic Primary School has new kerb extensions, while Young Public School and Young High School have received fencing and median works.
Ms Cooke said that although there have been no school-aged pedestrian deaths in active school zones since December 2013, drivers should not become complacent.
“Roads and children can be a dangerous mix, which is why we are investing in making school zones as safe as possible to reduce the risk of tragedy,” she said.
“School children are some of the most vulnerable people using the road, which is why we have programs such as school zone flashing lights, pedestrian crossings and fencing to keep children safe going to and from school.
“We can all play our part in keeping our kids safe by sticking to school zone speed limits and constantly keeping an eye out for children who might run out onto the road unexpectedly,” she added.
The number of pedestrian deaths in NSW so far this year stands at 41, which is 12 more than the same time last year.
