MINISTER LAUNCHES SCHOOL SIGN TRIAL

Local company Screentech is installing its Solar Powered LED Flashing lights which will now provide motorists with a powerful warning about slowing down before entering a 40kmh school zone.

Announcing the initiative today at the start of the new school term, Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts said there would be a 12-month trial of the new flashing signals at five school zones in the metropolitan area.

The lights will be attached to the top of the existing school zone signs and will only operate on school days between 7.30am to 9am and 2.30pm to 4pm.

"Flashing lights are immediately recognised by motorists as an alarm signal and they automatically slow down," Mrs Roberts said.

"This trial will determine just how effective the flashing lights are in a selection of different road types and where there are varied speed zones approaching the school."

The Minister said the five school zones included:

These particular school zones were chosen because they ranged from a four-lane dual carriageway where the speed limit outside the school zone was 70km/hr, to a two-lane local distributor road where the speed limit outside the school zone was 50km/h.

Mrs Roberts said the 40kmh zones surrounding schools were vital to protect students who were at their most vulnerable when arriving or leaving school.

"With more than 360,000 students around the State going back to school, I am appealing to drivers to slow down and be aware when approaching a school zone," she said.

"Speed will make the difference between life and death for them."