Parents and drivers are being urged to remain vigilant in school zones after a primary school student was hit while crossing a street on Thursday morning.
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The six-year-old boy was crossing the road with his grandfather when he was struck by a 4WD.
The pair were trying to cross Campbell Street at Newstead, down the road from a dedicated pedestrian crossing, police said.
The St Thomas More’s Catholic School student was taken to hospital and it was understood he suffered a fracture to his leg.
Tasmania Police Senior Sergeant Jason Jones said “pedestrian crossings are there for a reason”.
“Even though the vehicle involved was travelling at slow speed this illustrates how vulnerable young children are and serious injuries can occur,” he said.
“Police are concerned that this incident could have had a far worse outcome and would like to remind all road users to take extra care in school zones and for students and their carers to use the designated crossings.”
In a letter to parents, St Thomas More’s principal Shayne Kidd said the school would offer counselling support to any students who witnessed the crash.
“An incident like this is a reminder for us all to be vigilant when crossing roads, as an accident can happen so quickly,” he said.
“Please ensure your child crosses the road at the crossing and as a driver take extra care when driving through a school zone. For our young children I strongly recommend they cross the road with an adult or older sibling.”
Mr Kidd said the school was also working with the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office to develop “further strategies and approaches to support the safety of pedestrian traffic around the school, particularly at key times”.
A 38-year-old St Leonards man was behind the wheel of the 4WD and has undergone drug and alcohol testing, but had not been charged with any offence as of Friday morning.
Earlier this month, Tasmania Police warned it would be conducting speed checks and roadside drug and alcohol testing in school zones across the month as students returned from holidays.
In just one day, police caught 20 people speeding in a Launceston school zone.
As for RBTs, police tested 268 people driving in school zones between February 5 and 9.
However, nobody tested positive for alcohol or drugs.
“We want to reiterate the safety message and remind road users we will be continuing to monitor school zones,” Senior Sergeant Jones said.
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Melissa Mobbs
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
