By AIDAN KNIGHT

 

A TRARALGON resident has expressed concern surrounding the speed at which motorists are travelling when passing through school zones, calling for drivers to take responsibility.

This concern was raised the same week authorities issued a state-wide call for safer driving habits on Victorian roads, in a new campaign titled ‘Break the Habit’.

Victoria Police, Crime Stoppers and the Transport Accident Commission are all working in conjunction with each other to reduce the alarming number of high-speed behaviours contributing to accidents and fatalities on roads.

“This campaign is a timely reminder to slow down and Brake the Habit before you get caught or someone you care about is seriously injured,” Crime Stoppers Chief Executive, Stella Smith said.

Speeding is the leading behaviour authorities aim to reduce through this campaign, as it contributes to 30 per cent of fatal crashes and a quarter of the serious injury collisions across Victoria.

The concerned Traralgon resident, who wished to remain anonymous, echoed the urgency of the campaign, detailing alarming speeds on roads past Traralgon College, St Paul’s Anglican Grammar, and Lavalla Catholic School during school hours.

“Very few motorists are travelling at or below [40 km/h]…Grubb Avenue is the worst for blatant speeding,” they said.

“It is very concerning that many of the people flaunting the rules are parents dropping off their children.”

This is coupled with the long-running safety concern for students.

The Express explores this topic almost annually, with journalists filing previous reports dating back to July 2023, telling of inadequate school crossings in schoolzones where speeding was reportedly rife.

While crossing and road maintenance remains a council issue, drivers are asked to remain conscious of their speeds in these areas, as there doesn’t have to be a speed bump for motorists to need to slow down.

“If you witness dangerous behaviour on our roads, you can report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria,” Ms Smith said.

“You can include dash cam footage or other supporting videos and images, which can be uploaded when making an online report.”

More information about the Brake the Habit campaign is available at: www.crimestoppersvic.com.au