One subject that seems universal is the wish to ensure that children have a high degree of safety. From the moment they are born there are laws protecting them across the spectrum of food that they eat, cots that they sleep in - and what restraints are demanded when they travel in cars.
Attaining school age sees them enter a new domain of protection. Areas surrounding their school access are deemed " safety zones " and car speeds are restricted during the times they are arriving and departing. The police regularly patrol these zones with speed radar, and heavy penalties are incurred by offenders.
What seems strange is the lack of attention to the signage around schools by the regularity authorities in New South Wales. Many school safety signs are faded to the point of blandness, while others are obscured by vegetation. It seems that cutting back trees that obscure signs is a council responsibility, and councils are subject to a plethora of trees preservation legislation that makes any sort of pruning almost a mortal sin.
Perhaps the most intriguing departure from reality is the policies of New South Wales governments when it comes to installing the flashing light systems that operate to warn drivers when school speed reduction times apply - and these remain constant nomatter which side of politics is in power.
Rolling out flashing lights is subjected to a small annual budget, and it seems that under this regime it will be about the middle of this century before every school crossing in this state will have this safety feature.
It is the usual type of government response. There is only one type of light system that is approved - and that is vastly over priced. All offers from charity organisations - such as Rotary and Lions Clubs - is rejected, and yet many of these have offered to fund the installation of the government system.
The sticking point seems to be - signage !
Any sponsor - and that would include a lot of commercial companies - would be happy to pay for a valid safety innovation, provided they could apply small signage to claim credit for their donation.
Governments - of both political persuasions - seem terrified of a public backlash should they agree to allow commerce to be identified with public works, and yet they freely enter into public/private deals on road tunnels and pay roads.
One of the best forms of protection for our kids would be to have clearly visible signs around school safety areas - and having them flashing at the times motorists are required to slow down. It would save kid's lives and be a welcome reprieve for drivers unfamiliar with the area.
With a change of government thinking, the entire school network in this state could have these flashing lights within the next twelve months - if the government allowed commercial sponsorship and saw reason on allowing a discreet signage credit.
This seems to be an issue that should be beyond politics !
No comments:
Post a Comment