Flags at school crossing

Press, 31 May 1985, Page 2

Flags at school crossing

Belfast School pupils have started carrying brightly coloured flags across their school crossing because of the number of cars that have driven through the norma] patrol in the past. The flags were bought by the school committee and are additional to the signs, coats, and sashes supplied by the Ministry of Transport for all school

crossings. Although there had not yet been any accident on the crossing, the committee was concerned about possible dangers to children, said a school traffic safety officer in the Ministry of Transport, Mr Trevor Hinkley.

"The crossing has got its own problems because it is on a State highway. Cars tend to be travelling at

higher speeds,” he said. “The flags are just to highlight the children on the crossing." Mr Hinkley appealed to motorists to be particularly careful when approaching all school crossings. Motorists had to stop when the signs were out and stay stopped until the signs were withdrawn. “One sign governs the

Y»1IU1C HU33IUg, nuivil 1114*/ be something drivers don't realise,” be said. “On all crossings the patrol members are children aged 10 and 11. They have physical limitations and motorists should give them all the help they can,” said Mr Hinkley. Most school patrols are on duty from about 8.20 a.m. t0’9.50 a.m. and from 2.55 p.m. to 3.20 p.m.