By CASEY NEILL
CALLS are growing for a school speed zone on Princes Highway in Dandenong following a tragic pedestrian death last month.
But VicRoads has said nothing will change until new speed limit guidelines are in place.
Opposition road safety spokesman and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said school zone signage on Princes Highway around Dandenong High School would make the main road safer for students.
His calls followed 13-year-old Shaye Kosky’s death on 7 March after a car struck her as she crossed Princes Highway near James Street after school.
Mr Donnellan said the State Government was not providing enough school speed zone program funding.
“Last year VicRoads chief operating officer Bruce Gidley admitted funding for school speed zone programs had been expended,” he said.
“However, the state Liberal government has been able to find money for school speed zones in marginal Liberal-held seats.
“The level of safety for our children on Victorian roads should not be dictated by what political party represents the local community.
“The state Liberal government must provide funding to improve safety around Dandenong High School.”
VicRoads metro south east regional director Peter Todd said the road authority would review Mr Donnellan’s request once new speed limit guidelines were in place, which should be by 30 June.
“VicRoads has recently completed a holistic review of speed limits in Victoria,” he said.
“A key outcome was a significant update to speed zoning guidelines.
“VicRoads will be reassessing and consolidating the guidelines regarding speed zones where there are high numbers of pedestrians,” he said.
“This will provide a clear and consistent approach across metropolitan and rural Victoria for speed zones, and will reduce the risk of pedestrian crashes.”
In the wake of Shaye’s death, the Star reported that her grieving sister, Jacinta, was urging other Dandenong High School students not to make the dash across Princes Highway, and that former student Nina Klasan had posted a warning on Facebook.
“Please, please use the bridge or the traffic lights when getting to school,” Ms Klasan said.
“This isn’t the first time this has happened but we need to make it the last one.”
Dandenong resident Colin Gibbons said he’d seen many near-misses near the accident site.
“Why can’t something be done before we lose and other child?” he said.
