Parents rejoice as Pimpama State Primary College safety crossing opens

PARENTS and students at a northern Gold Coast school are celebrating the end of a hard-fought battle to secure safety crossings after a child was struck by a car last term.

THE toot of a lollipop lady’s whistle could be heard for the first time this morning at Pimpama State Primary College’s new safety crossings.

The two new monitored school crossings, which opened for the first time, have been the focus of a campaign by the Bulletin, teachers and parents for road safety measures to be taken outside the school.

The push came to a head in June when 12-year-old student Riley Haydon was struck by a car during school pick up.

Parents have told the Bulletin he was not the first child to be struck by a car in the area.

Days later the State Government and city council vowed to fix the dangerous intersection at the booming school.

Riley Haydon, 12, sustained two broken bones in his leg after he was run over by a Toyota Hilux as he left Pimpama State Primary College. Photo by Richard Gosling

Four crossing attendants, armed with bright orange stop signs, were stationed in Dixon Dr and Charles Ave at Pimpama for the morning rush today.

Rebecca Haydon, mother of Riley whose leg was broken in two places when he was knocked outside the school in June, said she was excited that children were now safer.

“I can see that the cars will finally slow down, now the children will finally have guidance on where to travel safely,” she said.

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“It’s like a baby. It’s actually exciting that it’s here at last.’’

But she remained “very angry” it had taken something so serious for action to happen.

“He was not hit, he was run over,” she said.

Crossing attendants in place at Pimpama State Primary College during rush hour this morning. Photos: Britt Ramsey

“My son has been through hell, physically and mentally. It’s so sad that it took a 12-year-old to be run over for something to be done.

“I’ve heard there’s been a couple of kids that have been hit and still council and whoever else decided not to sign that piece of paper.

“Sadly my son almost ended up in a coffin. And all I can say is, thank God he didn’t, thank God we (now) have crossings.”

Another concerned parent, Doug Kirby, who was behind the campaign for a crossing, was chuffed with the milestone.

BOY HIT BY A CAR OUTSIDE A GOLD COAST SCHOOL

“It’s a great thing; I’m actually really happy that we’ve got it — over the moon,” he said.

“It’s been a three-year battle. Since March things have ramped up a little bit — a number of emails exchanged hands. It became beyond a joke.

“I reckon all schools that get built need a crossing put in.”

The crossing outside of the school before action was taken. Picture Mike Batterham

The school now has two monitored crossing zones, which will be supervised during school pick — up and drop-off hours.

Pimpama parent Katrina Monger said even she felt safer crossing at the designated zone.

“A lot easier and a lot safer, and my kids actually listened to me when I said get off your scooters this morning,” she said.

“There’s a lot of kids along here.”

Nicole Leslie said she had been walking her three kids to school for years and had always found it difficult to cross.

“Now with this, it’s heaps better,” she said.

“You’re not trying to wait for cars to stop for us to cross or wait for a break in traffic and try to rush across the road.

“We can take our time and really be safe. It’s awesome.”

Concerned father and group spokes person Doug Kirby talking to other parents of Pimpama State Primary College, celebrating the promise of crossing guards for the school. Picture Mike Batterham

Principal Donna Gosling said students and drivers now respected the new “safe passage’’.

“They (drivers and students) took note of the expectations around having to take their turn to go through the crossings,” she said.

“The supervisors went through medicals and Bluecard checks since being interviewed.

“It was lovely to hear the whistle and see the ladies enjoying the position they’re in and to see children and drivers respond to the fact there are differences in the way school operations will happen, both morning and afternoon.”