Last December Peter Olsen said to the Roads Minister that he would put up his warning lights at school zones and true to his word in sun and rain he is doing just that.

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Campaigner shines light on road safety

BY JIM GAINSFORD St George and Sutherland Shire Leader
15/04/2009 4:00:00 AM

SCHOOL Zone lights campaigner Peter Olsen has installed a set of his homemade school zone flashing lights outside Brighton-Le-Sands Public School at the request of the school's P&C.

The lights have been installed on private property at either end of the school zone in Crawford Road so they can't be removed by the RTA.

P&C president Chris Lloyd said the school community felt more secure now the lights had been installed.

"The lights will alert drivers that they are entering a school zone and to take care,'' he said.

"That's all we ask.''

Mr Olsen has also installed 11 sets of his lights in the western suburbs and has orders for another 10 sets.

He also has orders from Newcastle and Lismore.

"In St George I've got approval from home-owners to install the lights on private property at each end of the school zone on Bay Street Brighton, at West Botany Street, Rockdale, and at Forest Road, Arncliffe.

"I'm now looking for sponsorship from local businesses of $1000 per sign.

"Once installed they will cost the grand total of 70 cents per year to run which covers electricity and maintenance.''

Mr Olsen said his original signs at Peakhurst and Lugarno had been running for more than two years with zero maintenance cost and 100 per cent reliability.

"The RTA has said its lights cost $13,000 each but they are spending $46.5million for 400 school zones equalling $58,000 per sign.''

An RTA spokesman said it prioritised locations for flashing lights on a risk basis based on crash history, prevailing speed limit, existing road safety measures and the visibility of the school from road.

``RTA flashing lights have been evaluated and selected for reliability and effectiveness and have a back to base component that immediately notifies the RTA of failures therefore reducing the potential risk to students,'' the spokesman said.

Businesses can sponsor Mr Olsen's school zone flashing lights by contacting him on 0414538404 or at www.

schoolzonelights.com.au.

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