A recent spike in pedestrian trauma and several near-misses reported around schools in Casey has led to a new pedestrian safety initiative.
SD3 Highway Patrol is teaming up with local council and road safety partners to make pedestrian safety a priority around schools and kindergartens in Casey.
SD3 Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Matthew Camillo said police are “seeing some really concerning behaviour” on Casey roads.
There has been an increasing number of collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists in the division, with 206 recorded between 30 January 2022 and 5 March 2023.
There has also been several collisions and near-misses involving children and school crossing supervisors reported around schools in the area.
“We will be working with local council and our road safety partners to prioritise pedestrian safety, with an increased enforcement focus around school zones,” Sergeant Camillo said.
“We’ll be targeting motorists who exceed the 40km/h speed limit in school zones, and who are distracted behind the wheel using their mobile phones.
“These behaviours are consistent with road trauma and collisions involving pedestrians.”
It comes as Victoria recorded 44 pedestrian fatalities in 2022, which was a 51 per cent increase on the previous year.
There were 18 fatalities recorded in SD3 territory – a third of these involving pedestrians.
“Pedestrian deaths doubled on Victorian roads last year, and we are doing everything we can to ensure we don’t see a repeat.
“It’s up to all of us to prioritise pedestrian safety.”
Police are working closely with the City of Casey to increase enforcement around local schools and kindergartens that have raised road safety concerns.
Pedestrian safety will be the key priority, with police to target speeding and distracted drivers around school zones, as well as ensuring pedestrians are obeying traffic signals and utilising school crossings.
There will also be an increased focus on educating the community about good road safety practices, with road safety organisation Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation supporting local council and police to educate young children and families about road safety.
“Educating the community on good road safety practices will also be critical, to ensure all road users know how to remain safe around school zones,” said Sergeant Camillo.
“It’s so important that parents and teachers talk to young children about road safety.”
Police are urging motorists to slow down and pay attention, especially in built up areas and in 40km/h school zones where there are more pedestrians.
Motorists who fail to stop and remain stationary at a children’s crossing can be issued a $462 penalty and three demerit points, whilst failing to give way to a pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing can attract a $362 penalty and three demerit points.
“The penalties are significant, but we won’t hesitate to enforce if it means preventing serious injuries or deaths of young children,” Sergeant Camillo said.
“Educating the community on good road safety practices will also be critical, to ensure all road users know how to remain safe around school zones. It’s so important that parents and teachers talk to young children about road safety.”
