Aussies push for change over ‘close calls’
Aussie parents and advocates are taking a stand off the back of a number of dangerous incidents in school zones.
Aussies are calling for changes to ensure the safety of children walking to and from school.
A Sydney dad took to social media this week, after a near miss with his children out the front of their school.
“Dad of three here who just nearly had himself and kids wiped out halfway across a crossing this morning. Another car (was) going too fast and simply not stopping,” he shared.
And, it seems he’s not the only one dealing with the issue, opening the floor to commenters who shared similar horror stories.
“We’ve had several close calls while crossing the road,” one said.
“Last year, we were already halfway across when a bus suddenly sped up and overtook a car that had stopped for us, nearly hitting us. The driver even yelled at us while continuing to speed through,” another shared.
“In recent years, I’ve definitely noticed more drivers who seem to ignore zebra crossings, even if there are people waiting to cross. Or even the car nearest the pedestrian stopping, but the car going the other way, not. Lottery, basically,” said a third.
Many even took the opportunity to advocate for greater penalties for speeding over a pedestrian crossing, or changes more broadly.
“(You) should lose your license for three months for failing to give way to pedestrians at a zebra crossing. Behaviour would change in an instant,” one suggested.
“Make it as bad OR worse [than] if you speed in a school zone,” said another.
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And, they’re not alone.
Harold Scruby has been the chairman of the not-for-profit Pedestrian Council of Australia for close to three decades, advocating for the health and safety of pedestrians across the country.
For him, it was no surprise to hear that pedestrian crossings were feeling increasingly dangerous, particularly children’s crossings – part-time crossings, which are indicated by red-orange flags, and usually operate only during school zone hours.
“These ridiculous school crossings are completely confusing to people,” he told news.com.au.
“Are they still crossing when the crossing guard goes home? What are they, and why are they not full-time crossings?”
Mr Scruby called for an overhaul of these children’s crossings, specifically, to prevent confusion for drivers, which could lead to danger for pedestrians.
“I think all pedestrian crossings should be exactly the same. Why is it that a school crossing after a given time becomes something that suddenly doesn’t have the same rights for children?” he said.
“I don’t like that they’re only operational when someone’s there with a flag. Children don’t always come and go to school at a given time – they go off on excursions, they go home sick [they might have before and after school care].”
In a statement to news.com.au, a Transport for NSW Spokesperson reminded drivers that stopping at pedestrian crossings is not just a courtesy – it’s the law.
Drivers who fail to stop or give way to a pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing commit an offence under NSW Road Rule 81 (2) and could face a $562 fine and a 3 demerit point penalty outside of a school zone, and a $704 fine and a 4 demerit point penalty inside a school zone.
“Pedestrians are some of our most vulnerable road users. The human body is not designed to withstand the forces of a crash, and pedestrians lack the protection from impact that motor vehicles can provide other road users. Therefore, all road users need to be mindful of pedestrian safety when using the roads,” the spokesperson said.
“Under the road rules, drivers have an obligation to give way to any pedestrians on a crossing and drive at a speed that allows them to stop at a crossing to let pedestrians cross if needed.”
They also emphasised the importance of slowing down in a school zone.
“If children or elderly people are crossing, they may need extra time to cross, so please be patient and take extra care,” the spokesperson shared.
“Children are also often difficult to see and can behave unpredictably around roads. Always slow down and prepare to give way to pedestrians.”
In 2024, there were 104 pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries from crashes on a pedestrian crossing reported across NSW. This was 25 per cent lower than 2019, which had 139 fatalities and serious injuries reported. However, this is still far too many.
In the lead up to his 27th Walk Safely to School Day under the Pedestrian Council of Australia, Mr Scruby shared some valuable reminders for parents and children walking to and from school.
“What we tell children on Walk Safely to School Day is that until they’re 10, children must hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road. We also tell children and parents that [when you’re crossing the road], you must stop, look, listen, and think,” he said.
He also noted that children should never trust a green light – because even though it’s the legal time to cross, it’s not always safe.
“My mother used to have a saying when we were kids: ‘Just because you were in the right doesn’t make the injury any less painful’,” he said.
“You might be in the right, stepping off the footpath in front of a car. But, if you get hit, the injury isn’t going to be any less painful.”
Originally published as Aussies push for change over ‘close calls’
