A safety campaign around Canterbury-Bankstown schools is proving to be a huge success, with a reduction in those breaking the rules.
Since launching the campaign last October, Council has rolled out more than 400 safety signs around 93 local schools, which target speeding, illegal parking, U-turns and obstructing driveways.
Principal Monica Palmer from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School at Georges Hall said she has not had to speak to any parent about school zone offences since displaying the signage.
“On occasion, I have to pull people up about their driving behaviour, but since putting the signs up, there’s been no need to,” Ms Palmer said.
“The signs provide a strong visual reminder that it is a big deal to do the wrong thing in a school zone.”
Ms Palmer said a huge deterrent for parents was the realisation of the fines they could face.
Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said we will continue to be vigilant when it came to the safety of our children.
“With some 58,000 kids going to school in our City, we must ensure that each one of them is dropped off and picked up safely,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
“As a parent, I know what it’s like to be rushed when dropping off children at school, but it’s paramount no matter how rushed we are, that we follow the rules.
“And our campaign is a visual reminder every day they turn up at the school gates.”
Ms Palmer, who is responsible for the safety of 394 students, knows how important it is to encourage safe driving by parents and carers.
“I can’t do it by myself and the campaign is a beautiful partnership to spread that message,” Ms Palmer said.
“If we don’t follow the rules, it could lead to tragic consequences.”
This safety campaign is a partnership between City of Canterbury Bankstown and NSW Police Highway Patrol.
As part of the campaign, parking compliance officers and local police are continuing to conduct regular patrols of school zones and ensure everyone is abiding by the rules.
To find out more about school zone safety, visit cb.city/RoadSafety
