Parents and students using the drop-off and set-down facility at Genesis Christian College in Bray Park will notice improved traffic flow and a safer environment thanks to the implementation of the Look Out program.

The program, developed by Transport and Main Roads under the SafeST banner, aims to improve the safety of children who are dropped off and picked up from school.

State Member for Pine Rivers Carolyn Male MP said there were already 30 schools using the program throughout the state.

“We are committed to making travel to and from school as safe as possible,” Carolyn Male said.

“This program is proving a success at schools where illegal parking and unsafe drop-off and pick-up practices occur.

“The State Government uses various initiatives under the Safe School Travel (SafeST) package and assists schools by facilitating the implementation of various safe travel options within the school environment.

“The SafeST package is an integrated collection of programs, schemes and initiatives aimed at safe school travel.

“Elements of the package include the provision of pick-up and set-down zones, safe walking and pedalling initiatives and the school environment safety guidelines.

“The Look Out program was developed in 2006 to facilitate the correct use of the Stop, Drop and Go loading zones at the beginning and the end of the school day.”

Carolyn Male said Genesis Christian College currently experienced large traffic volumes at the beginning and end of the school day, with cars queuing to enter the loading zone, blocking the flow of traffic into the school.

“To resolve this, and as part of the overall approach to improving road safety within the school environment, Transport & Main Roads Department Road Safety staff are working with the school community to implement SafeST initiatives at Genesis Christian College,” Carolyn Male said.

“Parents who nominate to assist in the program will be trained by Transport & Main Roads Department Road Safety staff and will play an important role in ensuring the safety of students at the school.

The Look Out package consists of Look Out branded vests, name cards and signage to assist in the promotion of the loading zone and its appropriate use.

The success of the program requires parent volunteers called Look Out monitors to manage the flow of pedestrians entering vehicles at the loading zones in an orderly and safe manner at the designated Look Out zone.

They do this by identifying the next vehicle in the queue through a Look Out name card printed with their family name prominently displayed on the car’s sun visor/dashboard. The child/children wait in a safe area away from moving vehicles until their name is called. They move forward and wait for instruction from the Look Out monitor before entering the vehicle.

This streamlines the flow of traffic at the designated drop off and pick up zone and encourages safe traffic and pedestrian movement.

The program will start at Genesis Christian College as soon as an adequate number of volunteers are trained. Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact the School Liaison Officer on 3882 9000.

The program is available to all schools as part of the Safe School Travel (SafeST) package.

Within the Moreton Bay Region, North Lakes State College is currently using the program.