By KATH GANNAWAY
EILDON MP Cindy McLeish has called for obsolete electronic 40km/h speed signs to be moved from Mooroolbark to Woori Yallock to protect students from speeding drivers.
VicRoads however says the school doesn’t meet the criteria for an electronic sign, and relocating the Mooroolbark signs is not an option.
The Woori Yallock Primary School has been lobbying for the flashing electronic signs on the Healesville-Kooweerup Road for several years and Ms McLeish had secured a pre-election commitment to install the signs.
She called on the new Labor Government follow that lead, stating in a parliamentary address to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety in December that the current static signs were ineffective and that school children’s lives were in danger.
She said the cost of the signs was about $60,000, but that relocating the electronic signs from Mooroolbark Primary School which was closed some time ago was worth looking at as a cheaper option.
VicRoads Regional Director, Aidan McGann, told the Mail last week they had previously investigated requests for the signs at the school and that for the volume of traffic – 5000 vehicles a day – static signs were an appropriate safety measure.
Ms McLeish argued in parliament, however,that the static signs were not working and said police had been asked by Yarra Ranges Council, which employed the crossing supervisors, to enforce the limit on the 40km/h stretch.
She said the school zone came from an 80km/h zone and carried a high volume of traffic including heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses.
“The first time they charged nine drivers, the second time they charged three,” she said.
“During winter, foggy conditions make it extremely difficult to see the static signs and the crossing supervisor.”
In correspondence to Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol last year, the school said the school crossing officer, school leadership team and school council had become increasingly concerned about the blatant disregard for the speed limit.
They said the road was a major thoroughfare linking the north east with southern areas including Phillip Island and Gippsland which was used by cars, caravans, motorcycles as well as quarry and logging trucks and that over the past four years they had witnessed excessive speeds immediately outside the school.
Flashing signs were needed, they said, to prevent future accidents and serious injury.
VicRoads put the initial overall costs of installing electronic speed signs at about $100,000 and said they would continue to monitor and work with Woori Yallock Primary School in the future to see if their situation needs to be reviewed.
Mr McGann said there were over 1300 electronic speed signs at over 450 schools throughout Victoria and that they were seen as an effective method, along with driver behaviour and enforcement.
He said there were criteria that helped them prioritise locations.
“They are at a higher cost, and can’t be installed at every location,” he said.
The Mail contacted the State Government ministers for Road Safety and Education for a response but did not receive one before deadline.
Does Woori Yallock Primary School need electronic speed signs? Are kids and others in danger from speeding trucks and cars? let us know on Mail Newspaper Group facebook or email editor@yvnews.com.au.
