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Accident Research Center calls for barriers around schools after fatalities in Victoria

A leading Australian safety expert says major infrastructure changes around schools are needed after recent car crashes in Victoria claimed the lives of a teacher and a student.

Stuart Newstead, director of the Accident Research Center, says things like bollards, barriers and even rocks can be placed around schools and playgrounds to prevent vehicles from crossing verges and sidewalks.

It comes after a truck crashed into the playground at Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School at Riddells Creek in central Victoria on Monday, killing teacher’s assistant Eleanor Bryant.

In October, a car crashed into a fence at Auburn South Primary School, killing 11-year-old student Jack Davey.

a gray-haired man sits looking at the camera

Professor Stuart Newstead says there should be barriers around schools. (ABC News: Simon Tucci)

‘Cheap and effective’

Professor Newstead said every death was one person too many.

“Schools are a particular example where pedestrian numbers are high, and they are vulnerable to trauma if struck at significant speed,” he said.

“Because of these recent incidents, we may need to think more about placing physical barriers between school yards, where children are likely to be, and traffic.

“Arrow posts are good because they don’t stop people from crossing the road at any point, but certainly prevent vehicles from entering where there are pedestrians.”

Eleanor Bryant, who was killed when a truck crashed into a Victorian nursery school, was seen smiling at the races.

Eleanor Bryant was killed when a truck crashed into a nursery school northwest of Melbourne. Eleanor is pictured in an undated photo provided to the media by her family. (Delivered)

Professor Newstead said bollards had been installed in a number of shopping centers in Australia, where cars had previously driven through shop windows.

“It is an effective and relatively inexpensive countermeasure that can be used,” he said.

“We have also seen in other jurisdictions the use of permanent fixed speed cameras or trailers of speed cameras placed at regular intervals to ensure people are highly adhering to the lower speed limits.

“For most drivers, driving at 25 miles per hour almost seems like walking. They don’t understand the risk it poses to a pedestrian if he has an accident.”

Professor Newstead said nationally pedestrian fatalities accounted for 12.6 per cent of all road fatalities, but in Victoria this was 17.2 per cent.

“No matter where the school is, there are always vehicle interactions, so all schools need to be aware of this,” he said.

‘Time and again’

In Ballarat, members of Dana Street Primary School have been campaigning for years to have a central reservation or roundabout constructed outside the school.

There is only a left turn lane at the intersection of Dawson Street and Dana Street, but director Ryan Oliver said drivers regularly broke the rules.

a man standing outside an elementary school

Oliver Ryan, principal of Dana Street Primary School, says there have been near misses outside the school. (ABC News: Eden Hynninen)

“Time and time again we see people going straight across the road or turning right at the intersection,” Oliver said.

“At 3.30pm we have 250 children at our school using the footpaths here and the risk of a collision is so high.”

Mr Oliver said he had seen many near misses, and one occurred before his term.

“It sent shockwaves through the community. Luckily that person wasn’t affected too badly,” he said.

School councilors had met with the City of Ballarat a number of times about the issue but said no action had been taken.

A street with a left-turn only lane outside a school.

The left turn lane at the intersection of Dawson Street and Dana Street, Ballarat. (ABC News: Eden Hynninen)

Mr Oliver said it was only a matter of time before Ballarat became the scene of another fatal accident.

“If we don’t do something about this, we will wake up one day and something terrible will have happened here too,” he said.

“Especially for young children, many of them are just getting used to crossing the road in a safe way, so we have a duty as a community to reduce as much risk as possible.”

The City of Ballarat has been contacted for comment.

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