30 March 2009

NEAR TRAGEDY IN SCHOOL ZONE
SCHEDULED FOR FLASING LIGHTS
In a media release issued last Monday, school zone lights campaigner Peter Olsen revealed the
names of the first 5 schools to receive private flashing lights thanks to sponsorship by Brydens
Law Group.

One of those schools is Fairfield West Public School on Cumberland Highway.
Today on 2GB there was a report that a child had been hit by a car, outside this very school.

This school was to have Peter Olsens warning lights installed today but because of a supply problem, will get them installed tommorrow.

This school isn't even on the list for RTA lights and how sad for this school child that Peters lights weren't there today.

I'm sorry this website has developed a problem where images aren't appearing on pages.
You might see a little red cross in a box instead.
Kerry is at this moment diligently working away rectifying this glitch.

Thanks Kerry.

N E W S R E L E A S E

NEXT 5 SCHOOLS SELECTED FOR FLASHING LIGHTS
Tuesday 24 March 2009
School zone lights campaigner Peter Olsen today announced the next 5 school zones to be
fitted with flashing lights as part of the private school zone lights installation program.
Mr Olsen said the roll out of the flashing light technology is part of the joint commitment with
Brydens Law Group to improving safety in 10 school zones over the next two months.
“Nothing’s more important than the safety of our kids and our focus is on making their travel to
and from school as safe as possible.
“That’s why we’re getting on with the job of delivering on our promise to roll out flashing light
technology in the western suburbs to slow people down in 40kmh school zones.
“I have now installed flashing lights in 6 school zones and I’m pleased to announce the next five
locations for the installation of flashing lights.
“Installation will start this week in school zones in the Liverpool and Fairfield areas,” he said.
Mr Olsen said the remaining 5 zones targeted for funding by Brydens will be announced later in
the month.
“The selection of new school zone sites for flashing lights is based on various criteria including
requests submitted by schools, the availability of suitable installation locations, crash risk, traffic
and pedestrian volumes, speed limits, road environment and visibility.
“This is to ensure we install flashing lights at those schools that need or want them most.
“The majority of motorists try to do the right thing but because of the lack of flashing lights at
97% of school zones, responsible drivers regularly speed through them without meaning to,
thereby placing the lives of children at risk.
“Children are among our most vulnerable road users and travelling at even 5kmh over the speed
limit can double your risk of having a crash,” he said.
Mr Olsen said the flashing lights program was implemented in January to get people to slow down around schools and is supported by revenue from private sponsors.
Contact: Peter Olsen (0414 538 404)

School Zone Alert Systems – 5 Sites for March Installation
School Name(s) Road Name Suburb
1 Bossley Park High School Prairie Vale Road Bossley Park
2 Canley Vale Public School Cumberland Highway Canley Heights
3 Cartwright Public School Cartwright Avenue Cartwright
4 Fairfield West Public School Cumberland Highway /
Hamilton Rd
Fairfield West
5 Green Valley Public School Green Valley Rd Green Valley
.......................................................................

Isn't it sad that a private citizen has to voluntarily go out and install flashing lights at schools.

The RTA/State Government although aware that school zones fail both in children's safety and confuse drivers, refuse to use a proven affordable version of flashing lights that would light up all NSW school zones at a fraction of cost of preferred technology.

Peter freely gave the RTA the technology to the RTA to use, but no they want to go with really good (See "about faulty flashing lights" category) "state of the art" overpriced, over-engineered systems.

In the Graffiti category I posted a bit about a shop wall in Kirrawee, where a mural has been painted in a graffiti style.

Well it appears I'm not the only one that thinks this "mural" is inappropriate as a graffiti deterrent.

Maybe now it will be suitably redone.

Today Tonight on Ch 7
http://au.todaytonight.yahoo.com/article/5384063/general/school-zone-fines
there was an item about school zones, which backs Peter Olsen's "40kmh anomalies" on www.schoolzonelights.com.au. where he points out what a mess school zones are.

There are so many inconsistencies with the placing of school zones.

Council Desperation

These two photos show the lengths that some Councils are going to in an attempt to protect school children in their area. The phone number on the trailer is that of Bankstown City Council.

From my email inbox

I thought that I'd let you know what the Bankstown City Council are doing to raise driver awareness around the Padstow Park Public School in Faraday Rd Padstow. Please find attached, a photo of their version of the "flashing sign". This week it is in the westbound direction (facing Revesby) and last week, the eastbound direction. Last time it was there about 5 months ago, I think it was the RTA who put it there as there was no "Bankstown City" signs on it, and it was immediately removed, ( i.e. same day, and before the afternoon zone's time) after I rang in to let Mike Carlton know it was there, in response to a number of calls about such signs being needed on the Northern Beaches. I suggested that Padstow was "Labor heartland" and that the Northern Beaches should expect the same level "of service".
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks David

I think it would be cheaper to have flashing lights on the school zone signs, but untill the RTA get's it act together........

Today the NSW Road Minister Mr Dalley announced a new "fairer" demerit point system.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25123834-5001021,00.html

(highlight whole link and drag into browser)

Proposed new points system

Up to 10 km/h 1 demerit point and $81
Between 11 km/h and 20 km/h 3 points and $180
Between 21 km/h and 30 km/h 4 points and $324

Between 31 km/h and 45 km/h over the limit, three months suspension $621 and 5 points.

It WILL help unwary drivers that blissfully cruise through a speed camera a few kilometers over the speed limit, but go through a school zone at the "out of school zone time" speed and you can be 10, 20, or 30 km/h over.

Then you cop an even larger fine than now, plus the points.

Flashing lights at all school zones could be the answer.
______________

Point to point speed cameras

Mr Dalley on the Chris Smith show on 2GB wouldn't promise that cars wouldn't be included in the point to point speed camera system proposed for trucks.

Don't you believe it, after it's up and running for trucks, the RTA/GOV after a couple of bad, highly publicised accidents will "reluctantly, in the interest of public safety" use them also for cars.

And who will criticize them for trying to make the road safer.

T
The roads minister said on the Ray Hadley show this morning (3/3/09)that there was no plan to include cars but if that happens he'd announce it on Ray's show.
_____________
MEDIA RELEASE

27 February 2009

PRIVATE SCHOOL ZONE LIGHTS ROLLOUT COMMENCES

On 28 January 2009 school zone lights campaigner Peter Olsen announced the installation of flashing lights at Sophie Delezio's school. He also announced that similar lights would be made available to any other school in NSW that wanted them, through private sponsorship.

Today Mr Olsen has has released details of the first major sponsorship deal and the commencement of the rollout of private flashing lights to other schools.

"I am pleased to announce that Brydens Compensation Lawyers have generously offered to fund the installation of 20 sets of flashing lights at 10 schools in the Liverpool / Fairfield / Blacktown areas", Mr Olsen said.

"Brydens' CEO Paul Brandalise contacted me following the installation of the lights at Sophie's school. That led to a a meeting being held last week at which a deal was struck.

"The value of the deal in terms of what it saves the taxpayer is around $1.5M, when compared with what the RTA is spending.

"On 18th December 2006 the RTA awarded a tender for $1.475M for the installation of the exact same number of flashing lights, as part of the RTA's 2007 trial of flashing lights at 100 schools.

"Details of the tender are on the RTA's web site at http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/doingbusinesswithus/tenderscontracts/contractsawarded/roadsafety/less/200704211552032182.html

"Confirmation that it was for 10 sites only is at http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/2006_11_schoolzones.html

"The total dollar value of the deal is $20,000 for the 20 sets of lights, which puts paid to the RTA's claim at http://www.schoolzonelights.com.au/media2009-01-28rta.pdf that reliable flashing lights cannot be installed for $1,000. The technology is the same as has been operating in Peakhurst and Lugarno with 100% reliability and zero maintenance cost for the past 2 years.

"The fact that a firm of lawyers is sponsoring the lights is significant because it confirms that there are no legal issues with them.

Unlike the RTA, Mr Olsen is also offering to include schools in the decision-making process for the selection of flashing light sites.

"According to the Roads Minister the RTA bases its selection criteria on "crash history and risk, traffic and pedestrian volumes, speed limits, road environment and visibility"", Mr Olsen said. "No mention is made of any input from schools and no account is taken of the near misses that schools and parents are aware of but that do not show up on RTA statistics.

"Many schools and parents have contacted me to complain that their pleas to the RTA for flashing lights at their schools have fallen on deaf ears.

"Schools, parents and teachers in the Liverpool, Fairfield and Blacktown Council areas are hereby officially invited to nominate school zones that they believe are most in need of flashing lights and their views will be taken into account. Requests can be submitted through the web site below. Home owners in those areas who live close to 40kmh signs are also invited to volunteer to host the flashing lights signs.

For more details contact:
Peter Olsen
13/55 The Grand Pde
Brighton-le-Sands 2216
9599-1811
0414-538-404
www.schoolzonelights.com.au

For Brydens Compensation Lawyers see
www.brydens.com.au