Transport department to make decision on safety measures at notorious Marryatville crossing

The Transport Department is still deciding whether extra safety measures will be installed at the eastern suburbs crossing where two students were badly injured by a truck.

The government is awaiting advice from the Department of Transport on whether extra safety measures will be installed at a school crossing where two Marryatville High School students were hit by a truck in March.

The state opposition called for a red-light camera to be installed on Kensington Rd, after two 16-year-old students were hit by a truck on their way to school on March 22.

The driver of the truck allegedly drove through a red light before the incident.

The students were treated at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, with one student in a critical condition.

Members of the school community said drivers ran a red light at the crossing on two other occasions in the days immediately following the incident.

The decision on the potential installation of a red-light camera at the crossing will be made within the coming weeks.

“That is a live piece of advice that we are currently attaining from the department,” Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said.

Locations designated for the installations are based on “data and informative research” he said.

Following the incident, DIT conducted an audit of 200 crossings in the Adelaide metropolitan area, which revealed that 25 per cent needed remedial work which included “additional signage through to clipping and manicuring some trees and foliage”.

“By the end of May all of that work will be undertaken,” Mr Szakacs said.

The Transport Department told The Advertiser in March that an audit would be completed in coming weeks to see if red-light or speed cameras were warranted at the site.

Marryatville High School School Students cross Kensington Road watched closely by teachers at the site where two students were injured after a truck allegedly ran a red light. Picture: Emma Brasier

Opposition Minister Road Safety Vincent Tarzia said incidents were happening far too often.

“Pedestrians, including schoolchildren, are being seriously injured and killed on our roads at an alarming rate,” Mr Tarzia said.

“We know that red light cameras have an immediate deterrent effect,” Mr Tarzia said.

Member for Bragg Jack Batty said the Marryatville High School community is backing the installation.

“I’ve spoken with parents and staff involved with the school and there is a clear need for this red light camera to deter dangerous driving behaviour,” he said.

“The pedestrian crossing outside Marryatville High meets all of the criteria outlined for the

installation of a red light camera.

“Loreto has a red-light camera, Seymour has a red light camera, Marryatville Primary has a red-light camera, if it’s good enough for them why isn’t it good enough for the students at Marryatville High School.”

This comes after the RAA released frightening figures showing schoolchildren are battling thousands of red-light runners at pedestrian crossings.

Around 20,000 drivers have been caught by police traps over the past four years, an increase of 25 per cent.

The two school crossings with the most offences are located on Portrush Road (near Linden Park Primary) and Kensington Road (Marryatville Primary School) – not far from the crossing at Marryatville High School.

Originally published as Transport department to make decision on safety measures at notorious Marryatville crossing