Strathtulloh Primary School parents demand action after crossing supervisor hit by car during school drop-offs

Concerned parents are demanding urgent action after a lollipop lady was hit at a “dangerous” crossing outside a school with 1100 students in Melbourne’s west.

Strathtulloh Primary School parents are warning authorities a tragedy is imminent, saying a child could be killed on their way to or from school if speeding issues are not addressed. Picture: Himangi Singh.

Concerned parents at a heavily populated school in Melbourne’s west fear “someone will get killed” by speeding drivers after a crossing lady was hit.

Parents from Strathtulloh Primary School — which last year had more than 1100 students enrolled — have demanded safety signs and speed cameras be introduced on the streets surrounding the school to reduce dangerous driving.

It comes after a crossing guard was hit during a morning drop off on Bridge Rd — which parents say was treated like a “racetrack” during peak times.

Parent Courtney Sweet said drivers were “not slowing down” in school zones and did not understand crossing rules.

“More needs to be done to help them (crossing supervisors),” she said.

“This is an ongoing issue for all crossing supervisors around the school.”

Strathtulloh Primary School parents are warning authorities a tragedy is imminent, saying a child could be killed on their way to or from school if speeding issues are not addressed. Picture: Himangi Singh.

Likewise fellow parent Parveen Akhtar said she was “really scared” for the safety of her children after the school crossing supervisor was hit.

“I was worried about letting the kids come home by themselves but after this incident I would never leave him to do that himself,” she said.

Ms Akhtar also said the lack of a separated bike lanes for students also hindered options for sustainable transport.

Strathtulloh Primary School parents are warning authorities a tragedy is imminent, saying a child could be killed on their way to or from school if speeding issues are not addressed. Picture: Himangi Singh.

Another parent told the Herald Sun she would never let her 10-year-old walk home by herself despite living just 200m away because of the dangerous road behaviour.

“I work 17 hours a day, including nights. I could be catching up on sleep but I won’t let her cross the road alone,” she said.

A petition launched by parent Leyla Kiran which urged authorities to install speed limit signs and cameras near the school attracted more than 130 signatures in the week after the crossing guard was hit.

Ms Kiran said students and parents were forced to put their lives “recklessly at risk” to navigate the roads.

“The local lollipop ladies who work tirelessly to ensure our safety are not only daily abused but also threatened by moving vehicles,” she said.

She blamed the absence of flashing speed limit signs and speed cameras, with drivers showing “little regard” for the 40km/h speed limit.

“The safety of our children and all other road users in the vicinity of the school shouldn’t be taken lightly,” she said.

Parent Nicole Fitzwilliam said she feared another person would be hit by a speeding car if action wasn’t taken.

“I don’t want to see a child killed before something is done,” she said.

Melton City Council’s city delivery director Neil Whiteside said the council had “committed” to installating a signalised pedestrian crossing at Bridge Rd crossing and at the Bridge Rd/Wembley Ave intersection by July this year.

“We have investigated and prioritised road and pedestrian safety infrastructure in the school precinct. Additional school zone speed signs will also be installed in the area,” he said.

“We’d like to remind road users to obey the school zone speed signs and to please slow down and be vigilant around schools.”

Victoria Police Melton Tasking and Coordination Inspector Ashley Ford said drivers needed to “take extra care” and slow down around school zones.

“Motorists should also be on the lookout for school crossing supervisors and consider their safety as they step out onto the roads to assist children safely across the road,” she said.

Inspector Ford said highway patrol units were actively patrolling and enforcing road rules and were “regularly tasked to focus on school zones”.

Strathtulloh Primary School was contacted for comment.