By Ruza Zivkusic
WITHschools going back this week means extra caution on the roads.
With thousands of children returning to the school, drivers are being urged to take care on the roads around schools.
Both Brimbank City and Melton Shire Councils have released safety brochures for residents offering information on how to improve road safety when travelling to and from schools.
Melton Shire mayor Justin Mammarella said the VicRoads Start Out Safely brochures were aimed at teaching children to develop judgmental skills so they could safely crossing the road.
“We all want our children to do well at school but really the most important thing is that they get there and back safely,” Mr Mammarella said.
Brimbank City Council’s spokeswoman said that the council would be contacting local schools with a Walking School Bus scheme to inform them about the availability of the Road Safety Around Schools brochure. The brochures will be distributed free of charge to all interested schools and would be made available for any residents.
The brochure has been produced in six languages and offers information on parking and traffic problems and school crossings.
Cr Mammarella said the following guidelines were easy steps for children to develop road safety skills:
WITH children up to five years old, parents and carers must hold their hand when near traffic or crossing the road
BETWEEN five and 10 years old, parents and carers can help by giving practical experience
UP to 11 or 12 years old, an adult should supervise children in traffic.
The Start Out Safely brochures can be obtained from the Civic Centre in Melton and at maternal child health centres across Melton Shire.
