With schools returning in the past week, RACV senior manager transport Peter Kartsidimas said action was needed now.
“We’re calling on the Andrews Government to make this change, for the sake of Victoria’s children,” Mr Kartsidimas said.
“It would be so simple to reduce these 60 km/h school zones to 40 km/h to bring them into line with others around the state.”
Mr Kartsidimas travelled to Shepparton East Primary School yesterday and discussed speed limits with principal Trent McCrae.
While Shepparton East Primary School has a slip road at its Midland Hwy entrance, Mr McCrae said people approaching the school from Hosie Rd were causing families the most concern.
The campaign comes more than three months after RACV revealed that there were almost 150 schools across Victoria where the speed limit during drop-off and pick-up was 60 km/h.
Mr Kartsidimas said research showed a pedestrian struck by a vehicle travelling at 60 km/h had a 95 per cent chance of dying, whereas that risk dropped to 40 per cent at 40 km/h.
“Reducing the speed limit to 40 km/h in these areas would more than double a child’s chance of surviving if they were struck by a car,” he said.
“Lower speeds would also significantly reduce the likelihood of a vehicle striking a child.”
RACV’s campaign is backed by Kidsafe Victoria, Parents Victoria and the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals.
Mr Kartsimidas urged parents with children who attended these schools to contact their local politicians and demand a change to the speed limit.
“We’re right behind parents when it comes to their kids’ safety, but we need them to be right behind us as well,” he said.
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