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school zone safety

Given the events of recent days, I relished the chance to jump up on my soapbox yesterday afternoon for the local TV station.

Let me start at the beginning. The phone rang early yesterday with a local reporter wanting a comment from the P&C regarding the new 5 point plan for school zones across NSW. After several phone calls and some discussion regarding the relationship between the schools and their P&C, it was decided that if the schools weren't going to comment, then either would the P&C and so we told the reporter she could contact the state president for any comment. (She had made several statements on Sunday after the media release regarding the plan) However I did convince said reporter to come down to the school at 3pm and get some comments from parents. As a parent I could, and would comment as much as I pleased. As district P&C secretary, Stu could not. So the interview was arranged and I went about finding more on this new plan. EVERY news item I found really only had comments from other parties. I ended up ringing the ministers office directly, spoke to a gentlemen there who faxed me the media release. The five point plan includes (this straight from the release):

1. Electronic school safety alert systems: incorporating flashing 40km/h signs and lights, will be developed and rolled out across NSW, with the first 100 to be fast-tracked;
2. A combination of 50 fixed and mobile speed cameras will be installed and rotated between all NSW school zones - operating only in school zone hours;
3. Increased fines sand demerit points for driving offenses in school zones;
4. A 'Drop-off-and-go, Pick-up-and-go" system will allow parents to become more involved in student safety and ease congestion around participating schools;
5. A school Child Safety Roundtable will address further initiatives raised by parents, schools, community groups and the Roads and Traffic Authority.

My comments to the news team were basically along the lines of 'this is all great, and long overdue, however a PLAN is one thing, lets get excited when it happens.' Having investigated the issue a little further, and had more time to think, there are several things that I would like to comment on....

• The flashing light system has been trialled at 43 schools over the last 18 months. My first question, and I'm not the first to ask this, is WHY Zoe's school wasn't included in this trial when the PRIVATE school further up the highway was? Our school has far more student foot traffic ON the highway, and NOT in side streets as the private school does. My second question is, if they have proven thus far to only reduce the speed by 2-3km/h on average, surely a more effective method should be looked at. When people are speeding in a school zone, the ones doing 2-3 km/h over AREN'T the ones we should be trying to slow down, its the ones who are still doing 60km/h. With no ideas where the funding is coming from and the suggestion that corporate sponsorship could be an answer, surely the governments time and efforts could be put to better use, like finding a REAL way to slow people down. Don't get me wrong, the flashing lights are a great idea - if only so people don't have an excuse - "OH I didn't know it was a school zone" However it really doesn't solve the problem.
• The fines will be increased to the next level, ie a $175 fine will now be $225 with all revenue generated by the speed cameras going back into the flashing light systems. Now hang on a second, didn't they just say they don't know where the funding is coming from? Well they should give me a call, cos I got it all figured out. Put speed cameras in EVERY school zone area, and this does two things. It tells the drivers that this is a serious issue. Secondly it will automatically decide which of the states schools should be fastracked. Those with the most income through fines are obviously problem zones and with the income from the increased fines, funding won't be a problem hey? This would ensure that those school areas that have the worst drivers would receive the lights first, AND it's funded. Problem solved guys.....
• Whilst on the subject of fines, I'd like to ask the Minister for Roads, NSW, the Hon. Eric Roozendaal why my child's life is only worth $225? Drivers in this country are well educated (our driver education campaigns are sold throughout the world) on not only the dangers of speeding, but the dangers of speeding in school zones, particularly primary schools. Small children are unpredictable and don't always do the right thing. So when they speed through a school zone, it's attempted murder as far as I'm concerned. Drivers KNOW the POSSIBLE outcomes of their actions. Their is NO excuse. So again, I'd like to know why the fines are so little and why the Minister thinks our future generation is worth less than the price of a COFFIN.
• Having said all that, unfortunately as I stated yesterday afternoon for all of Albury to hear, the increased fines and speed cameras will most likely be the ONLY effective way of reducing the speed of drivers. It's always amazed me that from a distance I can tell whether or not a speed camera is in the school zone. When there is one, everyone is doing the limit, when their isn't one, only around 2/3rds are. I'd like to ask all those drivers why they will slow down to avoid a speeding fine, but NOT for the safety of the children. It saddens me that those same drivers will complain loudly and bitterly about the increased use of speed cameras but will be the first to complain to the government if it's THEIR child that is injured or killed one day. It sickens me that even knowing what can happen, they STILL bloody speed and fining them makes THEM mad....HELLO!!! Who the f@#$ do you think you are to decide that my child's life and safety is not important and that your wallet deserves more protection!

Anyway I should probably get off my soapbox now, but it makes me so mad! And I needed the vent. I do have many more thoughts on both the plan, and the issues I think it will raise, but will leave that for another day.....I will be around, despite the last post, I can't stay away! Thanks to all of you who have sent me your thoughts, prayers and support. It really does mean a lot and helps make what is a dark time just a little brighter....have fun kiddies and I'll seeya all real soon, I promise...