Go slow

PARAMEDICS have issued a warning to drivers to be more aware on the roads, as students head back to school.
Paramedics are reminding drivers that students will again be congregating beside roads as they start, or go back to, school.
For more than a month school zones have been relatively quiet and speed limits often higher because of the holidays.
Dandenong Paramedic team manager, Anthea Chester, said the behaviour of many students may be unpredictable.
“For thousands of preps, the next week or so will be the first time they have been to school – and they might become distracted and forget basic road safety,” she said.
“It’s important drivers slow down and scan the area beside the road, particularly near parked cars, just in case a youngster dashes out.
“Children can move quickly and if they’re focussed on something like a ball, they may not be aware of passing cars. They also have less established peripheral vision, so they aren’t as likely to see something coming up on their side.
“Parents taking their children to school may also be distracted as they get back into routine.”
Ms Chester said when a child is hit by a car injuries can be horrific – even if the vehicle is travelling at a slow speed.
“Because they are smaller than an adult, children are more likely to get dragged underneath a car,” she said.
“They are also more likely to suffer head or chest injuries. An adult might be hit in the legs by a car but because children are smaller, any impact is more likely to be to the upper body.
“Depending on how serious the injuries are, hitting a pedestrian can also prove life-changing for the driver.
“No one wants to carry something like that with them, especially when so many cases can be avoided.”