Holiday safety plea

SAFETY FIRST: Todd and Brodie McDonald of Penola will remember to hold the hand of an adult when near the roads alongside the Beachport jetty this summer.

HOLIDAYMAKERS at Beachport and Southend are urged to slow down this festive season particularly around children.

Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi said with the influx of visitors to the seaside towns it is very important that drivers take extreme caution with many children enjoying summertime with their families at the beach.

Last summer Wattle Range Council supported the Little Blue Dinosaur Holiday Time “Slow Down Kids Around” road safety campaign.

Council is continuing its support of this important campaign, with signs reminding drivers to slow down being returned to key locations at Beachport.

Locations identified as risk areas include the Susan Wilson Memorial Playground, the jetty and the two caravan parks as they are most likely to have an increased number of children and vehicles during the busy holiday period.

“We received positive feedback following the campaign last summer,” Mr Gandolfi said.

“Beachport’s population swells over the summer holidays and by reminding parents to hold their child’s hand and drivers to slow down, we can significantly reduce the risk of a tragic accident.”

Mr Gandolfi also highlighted the need for those driving on the beach between Southend and Beachport to slow down well before any parked vehicles on the beach as children may be present.

The Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation is dedicated to the education and awareness of drivers and children in the importance of road safety for children in unfamiliar environments in coastal towns.

Founded by Michelle and David McLaughlin, the foundation is dedicated to the memory of their son, Tom.

In January 2014, at just four years of age Tom tragically died in a roadside accident while on holidays with his family on the New South Wales Central Coast.