School-bus driver Graeme Wilson, outside Outram School
yesterday, has serious concerns about motorists speeding
past school buses, especially on open country roads. Photo
by Linda Robertson.
Slow down or risk killing a child. That is the message
from Dunedin police after bus drivers contacted them this week
concerned about the number of drivers speeding past school
buses.
The concerns had been raised by some school-bus drivers in
urban and rural areas of Dunedin about the speed at which
motorists were passing when children were being picked up or
dropped off, emergency response group manager Inspector
Alastair Dickie said.
One concerned bus driver, Graeme Wilson, who has driven a
school bus between Outram School and Momona for the past 18
months, said the problem seemed to be getting worse.
He estimated other drivers would regularly pass his
stationary bus at speeds of up to 80kmh. The problem was
particularly bad on the open country roads leading to Dunedin
International Airport.
"They just roar past; big trucks, everything. You don't even
have time to get their plates."
Insp Dickie said specific figures were not available for
Dunedin or nationally, but several children in recent years
had been killed after walking out from the front of the bus
into the path of traffic.
"Many motorists are not making any attempt to slow down from
the normal posted speed limit."
Sticking to the speed requirements dramatically improved a
driver's chances of avoiding a collision with a child, he
said.
He warned serious driving charges could result from drivers'
failing to stick to the rules, as police serious-crash
investigators had the ability to determine the speed at which
a vehicle was travelling before any collision.
He urged motorists to drive carefully and slowly around
school buses.
"None of us would like the tragedy that occurs if a child is
killed or injured, or to have played a part in such an
incident."
Dunedin and Mosgiel police were aware of the issue and would
be closely watching driver behaviour around school bus
drop-off and pick-up points, Insp Dickie said.
• THE LAW
Motorists must reduce their speed to 20kmh when passing a bus
that is displaying a "school bus" sign and is stopped on the
side of the road to set down and pick up children.
- debbie.porteous@odt.co.nz
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