With the new school year fast approaching State Member for Pine Rivers, Carolyn Male MP, has warned local motorists to slow down in school zones and be mindful of children in and around school areas.

“The start of the school term means school zones will be back in action with 40km/hr speed limits in place around most school areas,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“It’s essential that drivers look out for signage, make sure they are travelling at the right speed and watch out for children crossing the road. ”

“Children can easily run out on the roads or find themselves in dangerous road situations due to their inexperience.”

“There are no excuses for putting young lives at risk, so motorists cannot simply say they didn’t know the speed limit or didn’t see the signs,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“Drivers should pay particular attention and watch out for children not only riding bikes, but crossing roads, getting off buses, or out of cars.”

“I, like other parents, enjoy walking my children to school as much as I can and teach them about walking safely to school,” Carolyn Male MP said.

Carolyn Male MP offered the following tips for parents and carers to prepare their children for safe travel to and from school next week:

- teach your child to look for vehicles coming in and out of driveways and discourage them from playing with toys or balls when walking to school
- teach your child to cross at traffic lights when the green ‘walk’ sign is showing, at pedestrian crossings when vehicles have stopped, and at supervised school crossings when the supervisor has signalled it is safe to do so
- ensure your child knows the safest route to and from school. This is usually the way with the least traffic and the fewest roads to cross and teach your child to always walk on footpaths
- accompany children when walking or riding to school until they are old enough to understand road safety (usually around 10 or older).