What example are these parents setting for their children?

EDITOR – The article on page 2 on the Queensburgh News dated Friday, 10 July, regarding the request for speed humps by Queensburgh Pre-Primary School in Parker’s Hill Road, Northdene, refers. Having lived in this area for nearly 24 of the 39 years that the school has been in existence I would like to air my views on this matter.

Although I have personally witnessed very few incidents of speeding along this section of road I have no doubt that it is cause for concern and may justify speed humps. However I feel that the greater danger to the children is created by the parents themselves. I pass the school every working morning between 7.30am and 8am, one of the busy periods for dropping off children, and witness the following on a daily basis:

• Parents crossing the road with their children in places other than the pedestrian crossing.
• Parents allowing their children to get out of their cars on the traffic side of the vehicle.Parents reversing out of the parking with no regard for other traffic.
• Parents so intent on looking for parking that they turn across oncoming traffic without even checking.
• Parents transporting their children unrestrained in the car, even after the recent amendment to the law regarding the use of child seats.
• Parents stopping their cars alongside each other in the roadway to have a chat.

What type of example are these parents setting for their children, especially as children learn by observation? All of the above show a disregard for either the children’s safety or that of other motorists. Many parents seem to think that, although they don’t live in the immediate area, they own this piece of roadway and need not have any consideration for those of us who live in the immediate vicinity of the school. I have often wished that the school would take the initiative and educate the parents regarding safely dropping, collecting and transporting their children. On second thoughts, perhaps they have but their efforts have fallen on deaf ears! I would have no objection to having speed humps on this piece of road and wish they would also install them in Vausedale Road just before Parker’s Hill Road when approaching from the station side. I have had many near misses when pulling out of Parker’s Hill into Vausedale and vehicles come over the rise at high speed.

Chris Travis

Northdene