27 January 2015

Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay and Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres today reminded motorists to slow down to 40 km/h in school zones as schools across NSW start going back.

“As a Roads Minister, father and grandfather – nothing is more important than the safety of our most vulnerable and inexperienced road users, our children,” Mr Gay said.

“From today, school is back and we need motorists to slow down to 40km/h between 8am and 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm on all gazetted school days.

“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.

“All schools have prominent signs and road markings telling drivers that kids are about and they need to slow down.

“To also better help motorists and protect our kids - this government is committed to delivering flashing lights to every school by the end of this year and we are right on track to meet this goal.

“We also encourage motorists to download our popular Speed Adviser App, which uses audio alerts to inform drivers of operating school zones and if they exceed the speed limit.

“Let’s work together and make sure we get our school road safety off to a flying start this year by sticking to 40km and being alert.”

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said today is a special day for the families and motorists of Penrith with the installation of flashing lights over the school break.

“Today is a great day for the Penrith community as we kick off the school year with brand new flashing lights at every school in the area,” Mr Ayres said.

“We know these lights are effective at slowing drivers down – so this is a big win for road safety across Penrith.

“This government is delivering both inside and outside of the classroom with infrastructure and exciting new education programs to help protect our school communities.

“Students are learning important road safety skills through our road safety programs including Safety Town, and we’re putting information right in the hands of parents with our guide to school zone safety.”

Flashing lights have been installed over the Christmas break at Penrith schools including:

• Braddock Public School
• Kingswood Public School
• Leonay Public School
• Emu Plains Public School
• Kingswood Park Public School
• Cranebrook High School
• Emu Heights Public School

School zones have also been installed this month at new schools including:

• The new campus of Cameragal Montessori School at Lavender Bay
• The Ponds School , The Ponds High School and Riverbank Public School at The Ponds
• Kingdom Culture Christian School at Arncliffe
• Victoria Avenue Public School at Concord West

To improve safety new school zones have been installed for new access gates at:

• Al Noori Muslim School at Greenacre
• Marist College at Penshurst
• Green Valley Islamic College at Green Valley

School zones will be extended at:

• Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School and
• Tallowood Secondary School, Kellyville

School zones to be removed in coming weeks include Badgerys Creek Public, Bellimbopinni Public, Sutton Forrest Public and Errowanbang Public as the schools close. Roads and Maritime is working with councils and schools to remove signage and line markings with flashing lights and signage to be reused where possible.

More information about the flashing lights program is available at roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au

MEDIA: Emma Higginson (Mr Gay) 0467 743 192; Elizabeth Drysdale (Mr Ayres) 02 4722 8660

View the original media release