A school crossing supervisor was hit by a car while working outside Mary MacKillop Primary School earlier this month.By Callan Date
DANGEROUS school crossings in the City of Casey have again been highlighted after a supervisor collided with a car in Narre Warren North this month.
The school crossing attendant collided with the vehicle on 4 June while working outside Mary MacKillop Primary School.
The 65-year-old man suffered minor injuries and was taken to Dandenong Hospital for treatment.
Police said speed was not a factor in the collision.
The incident comes only weeks after a student was hit by a car while using a school crossing near Berwick Lodge Primary School.
And 12-year-old girl Shanae Rossiter had part of her left leg amputated after she hit by a school bus while walking to school in Berwick last year.
Sergeant Pat McGavigan from Casey Traffic Management Unit (TMU) said drivers needed to be extra cautious while travelling through school zones.
He said although there were no specific operations in place which targeted dangerous driving around Casey school zones, TMU officers regularly patrolled the areas.
“Casey TMU currently receive reports of incidents from school crossing supervisors and consider and action these reports,” Sgt McGavigan said.
Mary MacKillop principal Maree Swenson said several changes needed to be made to the school crossing area.
She said flashing advisory signs, an extra school crossing supervisor and changes to Ernst Wanke Drive would go a long way to making it safer for the 580 students who attend the school.
The City of Casey is responsible for the employment of all school crossing supervisors in the municipality. Casey manager of transport Paul Hamilton said they were undertaking a review of traffic along Ernst Wanke Road, near Mary MacKillop Primary School.
“This will include the investigation of methods to improve driver awareness of the presence of a school crossing in Ernst Wanke Road,” Mr Hamilton said.
He said although the Narre Warren North Road and Ernst Wanke Road intersection failed to meet state guidelines for crossing supervisors, the issue would be looked at. “Following feedback from the community for the addition of supervisors at this location, council will undertake a further assessment by early term three.” Sgt McGavigan said police would remain extra vigilant around school zones.
“Casey TMU consider the safety of all road users, including vulnerable children, as paramount and that is the reason we work in partnership with the City of Casey on safety around schools,” Sgt McGavigan said.
•A 40-year-old Hallam woman driver has been charged with failing to give way after an incident outside Mary MacKillop Primary School earlier this month.
