NRMA Director Geoff Toovey said the state government’s roll out of 100 flashing lights at school zones every year for the next four years was too slow, with the government collecting windfall funds from speed cameras in school zones.

 The government promised to put the revenue generated by the school zone cameras back into school safety.

These cameras generated more than $45 million last year but the Government has only committed $46.5 million over four years to flashing lights.

Mr Toovey said only 5 per cent of schools in NSW have flashing lights.

“Ninety-five per cent of schools in NSW don’t have flashing lights and the Government’s roll out strategy is so slow most schools won’t see the life-saving technology for years,” Mr Toovey said.

“Sophie Delezio’s school falls into that category, a telling sign of just how long this important process is taking.

“When it comes to school zone safety it’s a no-brainer – we need to get flashing lights into schools faster because they help keep children safe.

“We know the money is there – what’s taking so long?”

Balgowlah Heights Public School Parents & Citizens President Dianne McIntosh said the delay in rolling out flashing lights was dangerous.

“We have seen a number of near misses at a crossing outside our school [Ernst Street] to the point where we now tell children not to cross unless they make eye contact with people driving towards the crossing,” Ms McIntosh said.

“Our school is one of many that needs flashing lights, yet there is no information available to the public about the criteria the RTA uses to determine which schools are eligible.

“The parent community has to fund a number of school projects because of a lack of state government funding – we can’t afford to fund flashing lights as well.

“We now want the state government to show leadership and make flashing lights a priority across the state.”

Open Road e-zine December 2008

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