Road safety at our schools a priority

THE very thought that there are almost 150 schools in Northern Ireland where traffic races past the gates at 60mph is bone chilling. And that is legal. It is as if these schools were built at the side of a dual carriageway, a planning decision which even the most deranged authorities would regard as idiotic and deadly.

Obviously these are rural schools sited along country roads where national speed limits apply. But it shows the potential dangers the children face on a daily basis.

An authoritative study of long standing shows the danger of speeding traffic to pedestrians. If a pedestrian is struck by a car going at 40mph there is a 90% chance they will be killed, but that falls dramatically to 50% if speed is cut by only 5mph. Another drop to 30mph means the pedestrian faces only a 20% of being killed and at 20mph the figure drops to a very slim 2.5%.

To make matters worse 73% of schools in the province have no crossing where it would obviously be safer to cross.

The issue of pupil safety where schools are adjacent to roads where traffic can travel at up to 60mph was revealed in a written question to Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, who, to her credit, said she was committing funding towards the introduction of part-time 20mph speed limits at around 100 schools and she hopes to increase that number in future programmes.

A pilot scheme at admittedly the low figure of seven schools showed that the introduction of speed signs with flashing lights had a positive impact in making drivers cut their speed approaching school gates.

The potential for serious accidents demonstrates the need for the minister to roll out her safety programme as quickly as possible.

Like all ministers there are severe pressures on her budget, but it is difficult to imagine a greater priority than child safety, especially when there is an effective measure ready to be implemented.

Contrary to popular belief it appears that the vast majority of schoolchildren would prefer to cycle or walk to school rather than being driven, but the lack of infrastructure to enable them to do so safely is off-putting.

As well as cutting down on morning and afternoon traffic, cycling or walking to school would help tackle the obesity crisis in schools.

The minister must make good of her commitment to increase safety at schools on busy roads.

The funding required — £2m has been promised to 100 schools — is the sort of money government departments find down the back of the sofa.