MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has joined members of the Suttontown Primary school community in their fight for increased road safety measures around the “hazardous” bus zone.
The independent MP is urging the State Government to consider safety upgrades and install warning lights ahead of the school zone along Pine Hall Avenue.
Mr Bell said the school zone was particularly hazardous due to the slight rises either side of the school, which resulted in poor visibility.
“It is a very dangerous situation where you have school aged children, a blind hill and a trucks regularly using that route at a time when we have students being picked up and dropped off,” Mr Bell said.
“If a truck driver does not know there is a school nearby, or has a momentary lapse in concentration, it could be disastrous.
“We need to look at slowing that traffic down and I would like to see flashing lights installed so at those critical periods such as first thing in the morning motorists are more aware there are young children around.”
Mr Bell said he had written to the Education Department, which advised him the Suttontown school zone is due for an audit, with the last investigation undertaken in 2012.
According to Mr Bell, the audit will consider the installation of additional signage along the road and a dedicated bus loading/unloading area on the school side of the road.
Parent Danelle Seaton welcomed Mr Bell’s push for increased safety measures after being involved in an accident at the school zone.
“Pick up and drop off times can be stressful due to not only the number of cars and children present, but the many heavy vehicles that also drive along this road,” she said.
“I was that concerned about my daughter’s safety that I no longer pick her up from this location.
“I was pleased that Mr Bell wrote to the relevant ministers and also the Department of Education highlighting to them my concerns.”
Mr Bell is also calling on Transport Minister Stephan Knoll to reduce the speed and investigate the implementation of road safety measures at the intersection of Ruwoldt and Yahl roads.
“A number of concerned constituents had already highlighted their concerns to myself,” he said.
“Unfortunately recently this intersection saw a high speed incident involving two motor vehicles resulting in serious injuries to at least one of the occupants of the motor vehicles.
“It was fortunate that there was no fatality following the recent accident due to the high speeds involved.
“I would like to see the installation of rumble strips to slow traffic and make motorists aware they need to stop.”
