Principal warns of serious accident

The principal of a school situated next to a known speeding hotspot believes it is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs unless his school is prioritised by the State Government for flashing electronic school zone signs.

Mt Manypeaks Primary School principal Steve Wiseman said a flashing school zone should be a priority on the section of South Coast Highway recognised by police as a hotspot for hoon drivers.

Mr Wiseman said he was disappointed the school missed out on the latest list of 73 schools across the State to receive LED lights in August.

“For the sake of our children, a flashing zone is a priority,” he said.

“Trucks and caravans come through at a huge speed and often it’s an everyday occurrence.

Mr Wiseman said the school’s playground was situated on grass adjacent to the highway and feared the worst if an accident happened.

“Fortunately an accident hasn’t happened and if it were to happen it would be a deadly accident,” he said.

“As the principal, it’s a priority for our school. Our community would love it; it would be the best thing for the community.”

The Manypeaks townsite has been a hotspot for detecting speeding drivers in the past 18 months with a number charged with reckless driving offences.

A driver was caught travelling 104km/h during school hours in August last year, while another driver fronted Albany Magistrate’s Court last Thursday after he was detected driving at 86km/h in July.

The man claimed he did not realise it was a school zone as he did not see any flashing lights.

Great Southern traffic Sergeant Peter May said the section of highway was a “concern” for police.

“A flashing zone would help reduce the risk, especially since it’s a highway where there are high speeds,” he said.

“It is evident to us where the flashing signs have been installed it does have an effect.”

Mt Barker Community College and North Albany Senior High School were the latest schools in the region to receive State funding for the flashing lights.

Albany MP Peter Watson said he would personally raise the issue with Transport Minister Dean Nalder in Parliament this week.

“That ($40,000) is a small drop in the ocean that could save a child’s life,” he said.

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