Annerley School Kids Become Walking Reminders of Road Safety

Drivers in Annerley are receiving creative reminders about road safety from school kids. Junction Park State School has taken up the initiative to have its students wear 40km speed sign backpacks. Apparently, this new trend has been made compulsory by the school to avoid road accidents and help keep the students safe.

The new school policy is in line with the latest road safety campaign of the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF). Called “Safely Backpacks”, the campaign aims to remind Brisbane drivers to be mindful when driving along school zones. By sporting a backpack that clearly shows the 40km speed sign, students become the walking reminders of road safety. The ARSF hopes that drivers are encouraged to travel “at the right speed.”

The latest national safety statistics report on Australian road deaths reveals that there were 1,296 road deaths in 2016. For 2017, 263 deaths have already been recorded for the first quarter. The Department of Infrastructure and Transport also keeps track of areas where road accidents often occur. These areas, among others, include schools, driveways to home, and streets or highways. Days with heavy number of incidents are reportedly Mondays to Fridays.

Annerley School Gets Involved

The alarming numbers of road accidents led the concerned school staff of Annerley’s Junction Park State School to coordinate with the ARSF in getting their students involved in raising awareness on responsible and safe driving. On the 18th of  April, ARSF campaign bags were handed out to prep students, who were also required to use them. Christine Wood, the institution’s principal, said that their school is “excited to be a part of this new initiative which will help save kids’ lives.” According to her, parents should now feel safer when sending their kids to school. Ms Wood is encouraging other schools in Australia to join the ARSF cause.

Walking Reminders

Russell White, founder and CEO of the ARSF explained how their  foundation wants kids to “make it to school safely.” Thus, through their latest campaign, they are calling on drivers, not just in Annerley, to regulate their speed when in school zones. Mr White stresses the importance of having all drivers do their part in staying within the speed limits, for a “safer, stronger and more resilient” community.

According to him, thousands of motorists in school zones have been caught speeding  in the past months, blatantly putting the community in danger. ARSF’s Safely Backpacks will be walking reminders that will hopefully lead drivers to drive more carefully to prevent accidents.

To learn more about the Safely Backpacks campaign, interested citizens may contact ARSF via hotline (1300 723 843) or email (info@australianroadsafetyfoundation.com).

Click here to know more about the ARSF.

Photo Credit: Featured Image from http://www.australianroadsafetyfoundation.com