School crossing supervisors told not to use whistles during COVID-19

Schoolchildren could be put in danger after school crossing guards were banned from using a vital safety tool, parents believe.

Crossing supervisors have been told not to use whistles during COVID-19, sparking safety fears. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

A change in crossing guard procedures has sparked safety concerns for children travelling to and from school.

Crossing supervisors have reportedly been told to stop using whistles to alert kids to oncoming traffic as a result of COVID-19 mandatory face mask rules.

Instead, the Transport Department has urged lollipop men and women to use hand signals and command children to cross by saying ‘WALK’.

But parenting author and mother of three Maria Ligerakis said abandoning the use of whistles was “fraught with danger”.

“The whistles alert children when to stop and when to go,” she said.

“They get used to hearing that and it gets their attention. When they’re walking along chatting they’re not necessarily going to see a crossing supervisor waving their arms.”

One school crossing supervisor in Melbourne’s east, who did not want to be named, told the Leader there had been “so many near misses” since they had been told not to use whistles.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen,” he said.

“Kids are used to hearing the whistle — it’s one whistle to get them to stop and two when it’s safe to cross — when that’s not there you’re relying on them looking at you.

“Most of them are pretty good about road safety but with them having been away from school with remote learning, they’re not used to the new system.”

Ms Ligerakis, from Bundoora, said even though mask restrictions were being lifted (from midnight Friday), there was “no guarantee they won’t come back again”.

“They say the droplets can spread a fair way, so even without mandatory masks supervisors aren’t sure if they can use whistles,” she said.

Ms Ligerakis called for crossing supervisors to be issued with handheld electronic whistles.

“There is not need to abandon the use of whistles at school crossings altogether,” she said.

“Hand-operated electronic whistles are relatively inexpensive and effective — that’s a small price to pay for peace of mind and safety.”

Handheld whistles have already been introduced at school crossings in America to ensure children’s safety while minimising the spread of COVID-19.

When the Leader visited several crossings across Melbourne this week — including in Stonnington, Port Phillip and Whittlesea — whistles were not being used.

A message on Bayside Council’s website confirmed crossings in the area were operating “without whistles for the foreseeable future”.

The Transport Department has been contacted for comment.