Schools safer for start of school year

A program to deliver every school in NSW with at least one set of school zone flashing lights has been completed, marking an historic milestone in road safety as students return to class for the 2016 school year.

NSW Premier Mike Baird, Minister for Roads Duncan Gay and Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli made the announcement today at Coogee Public School.

“Children are our most vulnerable and inexperienced road users and school zone flashing lights are a highly effective tool to ensure motorists slow down around schools,” Mr Baird said.

“We’ve met our commitment in full - more than 2,400 school zone flashing lights have been installed since 2011 meaning every eligible school in NSW is now covered.”

Mr Gay said flashing lights provide an important warning to motorists that they are entering a school zone – reducing the risk of risk and potential severity of a crash.

“From Eden to Tweed Heads, from Bondi to Broken Hill and everywhere in between, the start of this school year is safer than ever,” he said.

“We will now focus on the next stage of the rollout by installing additional flashing lights for about 400 schools with multiple busy entrances.”

Mr Piccoli said almost 800,000 students are enrolled in NSW public schools for 2016.

“It is fantastic to welcome students and teachers across NSW back for another great year of learning,” he said.

“This year is an exciting time for teachers, parents and students as the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government continues to roll out increased support for our schools.”

Flashing lights were delivered to around 150 schools per month during the peak of the rollout, which was a record rate of delivery.

The flashing light program is one of the vital road safety programs funded through speed and red light camera fines by the Community Road Safety Fund.