Almost 3,500 parents responded to the NSW School Safety report, with many saying they want their families to walk or ride to school, but choose to drive because walking or riding are unsafe options.
The survey was initiated by State MP for Summer Hill and Shadow Minister for Active Transport, Jo Haylen, who has called on the NSW Liberal Government to listen to parents and act immediately to make local streets safe.
Crash statistics show that the most dangerous time to be on our roads is during the afternoon pick-up and road trauma remains the number one killer of kids aged 14 and under.
The survey revealed that: A third of parents (36 per cent) point to unsafe crossings as the reason they won’t let their kids walk to school; 12 per cent said a lack of footpaths meant walking or riding wasn’t safe; and 11 per cent said a lack of parking or poor driving behaviour made roads around the schools unsafe.
Ms Haylen said families want the option to ride, walk or take public transport, but the Premier needs to build the infrastructure and provide the services to make it possible.
“Getting families to walk or ride to school is better for our kids’ health, is cheaper, cleaner and critically, gets cars off our busy streets,” she said.
“It’s time the Premier listened to the parents, teachers and residents who know their local streets best and act now to make our communities safer for kids.”
• There is a lack of flashing lights near our school to alert people to the school zone – <b>Danielle, Earlwood</b>.
The heavy vehicle traffic and trucks park on footpaths forcing students from Marrickville Public to walk on the road – <b>Kitty, Marrickville</b>.
There are very minimal facilities for bike parking and parents dropping off children – <b>Ken, Summer Hill</b>.
Hundreds of kids walk along Canterbury Road to get to school and there should be a safety rail to protect them – <b>Joseph Canterbury</b>.