Primary school-aged children are encouraged to participate in National Walk Safely to School Day to promote physical, cognitive and academic performance, as well as reducing congestion around schools during peak times.

Championed by the Pedestrian Council Australia, the initiative aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking, or alternative active transport can provide for the long-term well-being of children, not just on 10 May, but every day.

Pedestrian Council of Australia chief executive Harold Scruby said the best form of physical activity for all Australians was walking regularly. 

“Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day,” he said.

“We should encourage them to take a walk before school, during and at end of their day.”

Children should be supervised while crossing roads until the age of 10 years, and should always use a designated crossing point or manned children’s crossing.

Motorists are also urged to take care around schools, with Horsham Rural City Council reporting a near-miss at a children’s crossing in Baillie Street in the past month. 

The driver failed to notice the crossing was in use, requiring the crossing guard to take evasive action.

Council chief executive Sunil Bhalla said everyone needed to take care around schools.

“We all have a part to play to ensure the safety of everyone around our schools,” he said. 

“It’s good to remember that no matter how well they are taught, children may respond unpredictably.”

The council employs nine full-time crossing supervisors across 10 patrolled and two unpatrolled crossings in Horsham between 8am and 9am, and 3pm and 4pm. 

Mr Bhalla said near misses happened occasionally and the council had issued infringements to drivers not following the rules. 

There was no infringement issued to the driver involved in the recent incident at the Baillie Street crossing.

“We’ve had a few people fail to give way,” Mr Bhalla said. 

“Other people tend to drive too fast or don’t wait until all of the pedestrians they have given way to have fully left the crossing.”

Motorists must stop if an adult or child is about to cross or is crossing, whether the crossing is manned or not, and proceed when everyone is clear of the crossing on both sides.

– Bronwyn Hastings

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