NSW students were given the safest start to the school year yesterday with flashing signs warning motorists to slow down in school zones.
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Member for Albury, Greg Aplin, said all Albury schools now had the lights, with 11 installed during the Christmas holidays.
The Greater Hume Shire’s schools also have the signs.
“It has been a priority over the years because it has been proven the flashing lights get the attention of motorists in school zones,” he said.
“We know a vehicle that hits a pedestrian at 50km/h is twice as likely to cause a fatality as the same vehicle travelling at 40km/h, which is why school zone speed limits are so important.
“We want to make sure we are at the forefront of protecting our children.”
Mr Aplin said the NSW government was spending $32 million to ensure every school zone in the state would soon have flashing lights.
He said the signs were in areas like Gerogery because drivers of cars and trucks usually passed the school at high speeds.
“It is important they know now it is a school zone and what times they operate,” Mr Aplin said.
“Then there is no excuse for doing 70km/h or 100km/h past the school.”
The flashing lights have been installed at all but one school in the Corowa Shire.
Mr Aplin said the installation of the lights had been fast-tracked so that they were up and running with the new school year.
“It’s a good start to the year,” he said.