Danger zone

By Jade Lawton
A SCHOOL bus dropping students off in Bald Hill Road, Pakenham, has raised concerns among local businesses, with some saying it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.
The bus drops children off near The Salvation Army church about 4pm and collects children on the other side of the road just before 8am.
About 20 children appear to use the service.
An employee of a nearby business, who wanted to be known only as Frank, said there had been a few near misses involving trucks, children and cars.
“The problem is two-fold.
“The parents are parking along Bald Hill Road and you can’t see, then there are these kids crossing here there and everywhere. One of them is going to get killed,” he said.
Frank said he had raised his concerns with both VicRoads and Cardinia Shire Council but was told the drop-off point was not illegal under Victorian Road rules.
“I’m astounded that they can just choose to do this without having a 40 km/h zone, pedestrian crossing with lollipop person, and bus stop,” Frank said.
Department of Transport spokesman Chris Veraa said the State Government was serious about school bus safety – but there was no requirement for school crossings to be near every stop.
“Since 1999, more than 125 school bus interchanges and 800 roadside school bus stops have been upgraded.
“We will continue to improve school bus stops around the state,” he said.
“The school buses that use Bald Hill Road are fitted with flashing warning lights that operate when the bus is dropping off or picking up passengers.
“There are thousands of school bus stops all over the state, so there is no requirement for a school crossing to be near every stop.
“School bus drop-off points are determined by the school and the bus operator in consultation with the responsible road authority, with safety and legality being their key priorities.”