Student Safety Increased with new technology flashing lights on Cleveland Street
The Iemma Government's duty MLC for Sydney, Penny Sharpe welcomed the new overhead school zone flashing lights on Cleveland Street at Moore Park.
Ms Sharpe said the overhead flashing lights, which were switched on this morning, were installed to further improve road safety for students at Sydney Boys High School and Sydney Girls High School.
"These lights were prioritised as part of the Iemma Government's ongoing commitment to safety for school children and alerting motorists to the presence of children around the road," she said.
"This style of flashing light is mounted on a steel arm mast above the road and will improve visibility for motorists accessing Anzac Parade and South Dowling Street.
"Previously, the roadside flashing light technology had been installed in the school zone as part of the initial rollout of the Flashing Light Program.
"However, following feedback from parents and teachers, the Roads Minister and the RTA have listened to their concerns and approved the installation of the overhead flashing lights to provide further warning to motorists that they are entering a school zone and must slow down at this site.
"More than 30,000 vehicles travel through this school zone on Cleveland Street everyday."
"I'm pleased the safety of the students at these schools will be further enhanced by this technology," said Ms Sharpe.
"There is no just excuse for speeding - motorists must slow down to 40kmh when travelling through the school zone.
"Overhead flashing lights are only installed on multi-lane roads where there are high volumes of traffic and sight distance to roadside signs is limited.
"The Iemma Government is preparing to announce another fifty school zones that will receive flashing lights under the four year rollout of flashing lights.
"The RTA has already installed flashing lights at more school zones this year with another 100 being rolled out in 2009.
"School zone sites are selected based on a number of criteria including crash history, speed limits, road environment and visibility to ensure schools with the highest priority get flashing lights first," Ms Sharpe said.
For more information on flashing light technology visit the RTA website at www.rta.nsw.gov.au
