Quarter of all pedestrian crossings require urgent safety fixes as new red-light camera coming outside Marryatville High School
A staggering amount of crossings have failed an official safety audit, the state government has revealed, while announcing a new red-light camera for the Marryatville High crossing.
SA News
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A quarter of all traffic light pedestrian crossings have failed safety checks and were found to need urgent maintenance – such as cutting back branches – an official audit has found.
Announcing a new red-light and speed camera for the Marryatville High crossing today, the state government revealed the findings of its audit triggered by the horror crash at the Marryatville site where two students were struck when a truck drove through the red light.
Immediately after the tragic incident, tree branches believed to have played a role in blocking the traffic lights were cut back.
Ministers admitted the safety boost will take up to six months to implement.
The crossings audit showed about 25 per cent of the 200 pedestrian crossing that were reviewed required urgent maintenance – such as the pruning of branches.
All of those fixes have now been completed, the state government said.
Police Minister Joe Szakacs said the state government had left “no stone unturned with engagement on this issue”.
“I have met with and engaged with the Marryatville School community,” he said.
“I commend them for their extraordinary bravery in the face of trauma.”
He said a fixed red light and speed camera would be installed and that signs to alert drivers of the lights and crossing ahead were installed last week.
In addition, traffic poles would be wrapped with red and white stripe and black backing boards installed on the lights for better for better visibility plus signs to encourage pedestrians to “stop, look and listen” before crossing.
Mr Szakacs said he hoped the audit and new safety measure would mean “we never see a horrific incident in the vicinity again”.
Police data shows speeding and dangerous driving, including disobeying traffic lights, stop signs and give way signs continue to be major contributing causes of fatal crashes on South Australian roads – with 31 per cent of lives lost attributed to excessive speed and 27 per cent to dangerous driving so far this year.
The state government made the announcement on Monday, after liaising with the Department of Transport, following discussion of potentially installing a red-light camera at the crossing in May.
“Local Liberal MP, Jack Batty, said: “It’s a relief that Peter Malinauskas has finally had a change of heart and agreed with the community that a red light camera is needed for the Marryatville High School crossing.
“But what is infuriating is that, after calling for this for months to protect children, we learn it could take up to six months for this crucial safety measure to be in place.
“I hope Peter Malinauskas will act quickly so local kids can get to school safely.”
Earlier, the RAA released frightening figures showing schoolchildren were battling thousands of red-light runners at pedestrian crossings.
The school crossing with the most offences were located on Portrush Rd outside Linden Park Primary, where an average of 582 motorists are caught every year.
And Kensington Road – near the crossing outside Marryatville High School – where average of 446 motorists are caught.
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