By Juliano Oliveira
Brisbane is set to receive the largest smiling speed signs (SAMS) installation since the program began in 2013.
Permanent Slow for Sam speed awareness monitors will be placed at Brisbane schools to remind motorists to slow down and park safely around the learning institutions.
“Safety is one thing we simply won’t compromise on, which is why we are investing $4.4 million in school safety programs this financial year,” Infrastructure Chair David McLachlan said.
31 out of 100 signs in total will be installed this year along with signage, crossings, islands and footpath links as part of Traffic Management Plans, Safe School Travel, Enhanced School Zone Signage and Active School Travel programs.
“These signs have a strong record of slowing motorists down up to an average of 8.3km/h in some occasions, and they are a simple, friendly and highly effective way of sending a very important safety message,” Cr McLachlan said.
City Standards, Community Health and Safety Chair Kim Marx said high-visibility cars would also be visiting school zones this year to monitor drop-off areas.
“A visible presence of the vehicle or a parking officer is effective in reminding people about the importance of safety around our schools,” Cr Marx said.
“Our main focus is always to educate people about road safety, and motorists are becoming more diligent in doing the right thing and prioritising safety. In Term 4 2020, 49 infringements and eight warnings were issued, a 66% decrease compared to Term 4 in 2019.”
RACQ spokesperson Lauren Ritchie bets on the success of the program as a traffic accident minimiser.
“Children can be very unpredictable, and it can take years for them to learn how to safely interact with cars which is why adherence to reduced speed limits around schools is so important,” Ms Ritchie said.
“We’re urging all drivers to pay close attention to school zone speeds, especially at pick up and drop off zones. Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds at 40km/h can see you travel up to 22 metres blind – the results could be catastrophic.
“Parents should also avoid parking in positions which create more blind spots, encourage your child to always enter and exit the car from the curbside and never walk unsupervised into traffic.”
- First 31 signs to be installed this financial year:
- Ambrose Treacy College, Indooroopilly (1 SAM)
- Aviation State High School, Clayfield (4 SAMS)
- Bracken Ridge State High School, Bracken Ridge (1 SAM)
- Brisbane Adventist College, Mansfield (1 SAM)
- Grovely State School, Keperra (2 SAMS)
- Islamic College of Brisbane, Karawatha (1 SAM)
- Lourdes Hill College, Hawthorne (2 SAMS)
- McDowall State School, McDowall (2 SAMS)
- Moreton Bay College, Tingalpa (2 SAMS)
- Pallara State School, Pallara (2 SAMS)
- Redeemer Lutheran College, Rochedale (1 SAM)
- St Dympna’s Primary School, Aspley (1 SAM)
- St Joseph’s Primary School, Kangaroo Point (1 SAM)
- St Mark’s School, Inala (2 SAMS)
- St Thomas More College, Sunnybank (1 SAM)
- Stuartholme School, Toowong (2 SAMS)
- Sunnybank State High School, Sunnybank (2 SAMS)
- Watson Road State School, Acacia Ridge (2 SAMS)
- Yeronga State School, Yeronga (1 SAM)
Schools participating in high visibility patrols in Term 1, 2021:
- Belmont State School, Carindale
- Cannon Hill State School
- Centenary State High School, Jindalee
- Chapel Hill State School
- Corinda State High School
- Everton Park State School
- Holland Park State School
- Indooroopilly State School
- MacGregor State School
- Manly State School
- New Farm State School
- Norris Road State School, Bracken Ridge
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Coorparoo
- Runcorn Heights State School
- Runcorn State High School
- Sherwood State School
- Somerville House, South Brisbane
- St Dympna’s Parish School, Aspley
- St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, Ascot
- Stretton State College
- Windsor State School
- Wishart State School
Safer Paths to Schools:
- The program will build new pathways and complete missing sections of footpaths within a short walk of schools.
- Improvements will be made to the following schools:
- Brigidine College, Indooroopilly
- Camp Hill State Infants and Primary School, Camp Hill
- Ferny Grove State School, Ferny Grove
- Geebung State School, Geebung
- Hamilton State School, Hamilton
- Ithaca Creek State School, Red Hill
- Junction Park State School, Annerley
- Kedron State School, Kedron
- Mayfield State School, Carina
- Moggill State School, Bellbowrie
- Our Lady of Help Christians School, Hendra
- Oxley State School, Oxley
- Salisbury State School, Salisbury
- Somerset Hills State School, Stafford Heights
- St Elizabeth’s School, Tarragindi
- St Joseph’s School, Bardon
- St Oliver Plunkett School, Cannon Hill
- St Pius’ Primary School, Nudgee
- Stretton State College, Stretton
- Virginia State School, Virginia