Page 3262 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 22 August 2012
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We have some other concerns. We are a little concerned that if we have flashing lights at school zones where there are pedestrian crossings, there is a small possibility this may make other pedestrian crossings slightly less safe because people in Canberra might start to think, “We have to have a flashing light for a pedestrian crossing.” Certainly, though, motorist awareness is not enhanced by the different rules for different crossings and I think that that point has probably been well made by Ms Gallagher and Mr Coe.
I note that one of the points in the Liberal Party’s press release on this subject was avoidance of fines for motorists. I guess nobody wants to be fined but I think that that should not be one of the most important goals of this policy. I think pedestrian safety should be the major goal.
One of the things that the Greens would be doing if we were in the position to implement our election initiatives relates to the money set aside for pedestrian safety. That will include education about vulnerable road users. We would like to see all learner drivers learn about pedestrians and pedestrian safety. We would like to see that drivers, as a whole, have a much better idea about the issues for unprotected human beings if they are hit by large metal objects such as cars. We would really like to see vulnerable road users be a greater part of the education for drivers.
Looking at some of the evidence that Mr Coe quoted, the Australian Road Research Board assertion in Mr Coe’s motion is that flashing lights in school zones are only effective in reducing vehicle speed outside schools during the operation of the 40-kilometre school speed zone. It is not clear, of course, then, from this, what happens in speed zones at other times, particularly noting that in New South Wales they have a much more restrictive time than we do.
There are also, of course, potential greenhouse gas emission implications for installing flashing lights at all 122-plus schools in the ACT. I understand that in New South Wales the proposed flashing lights would be solar powered, and certainly the ACT Greens would like to see that if flashing lights were in fact implemented by a Liberal government they would look into the greenhouse gas implications of this and follow the lead of their colleagues in New South Wales and go for solar power.
In conclusion, it is really good to see that all three parties in the Assembly think that pedestrian safety and school pedestrian safety is an important issue. We, however, are not convinced that a one-size-fits-all approach is the way to go. This is why our policy initiatives are different from the Liberal Party. Every school and every set of crossings are different. We are looking for something which is a bit more nuanced than that but which could consider other safety measures such as speed cameras, speed humps, dragons teeth, school crossing monitors, more pedestrian crossing, trimming trees et cetera. There are a range of possible responses. I think flashing lights can be part of the menu, but I do not think they should be the entire menu. So the Greens will be supporting Ms Gallagher’s amendment.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (8.49): I commend Mr Coe for his motion and for the well-researched policy that he has assisted in putting together.
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