Community & Business
14 February, 2024
PDA concerns for pedestrian safety
In what appears to be a recurring theme, pedestrian safety in our community has once again been brought to the attention of the Pittsworth District Alliance (PDA), at its most recent general meeting.
Not only are cars the obvious danger, but also scooters and bicycles are being thrust into the spotlight with concerns that pedestrians, even on the sidewalk, are unsafe.
Local schools are active about teaching road safety, but also have their own concerns.
St Stephen’s Primary School is uneasy about the lack of pedestrian crossings in Pittsworth.
Students and families who walk to school, or ride their bicycles, are disadvantaged by this too.
Most notably, Principal Janine Butlin, also pointed out that the seniors from Beauaraba Living (further down Weale Street) also have difficulty crossing the road safely to get to the main street.
Principal of Pittsworth State School, Carol Coonan, explained that the Department of Transport and Main Roads subsidised students to attend the PCYC Cycle Safety Course at Groom Park in Toowoomba, to support the education of children, in bicycle safety.
Skills they’re being taught include learning to ride on the correct side of the road, understanding signage, wearing helmets, stopping and starting, and learning to be road users.
Schools also attend swimming lessons and carnival days at the Pittsworth Civic Pool during summer.
They benefit from only one pedestrian crossing between Murray or Briggs Street, and Yandilla Street.
People have also expressed their concern to the PDA about drivers crossing the double white lines in the main street.
More than once, locals have been caught out by drivers pulling into parks across the double lines, or simply doing u-turns in the middle of the street.
Police Sergeant Tim Hoffman revealed that police have issued a number of infringements recently, after receiving complaints about people crossing over the double white lines.
“Police will continue to crack down on this behaviour,” Sergeant Hoffman said.
The PDA committee would like everyone in town to look after one another, and take care as a driver, or pedestrian, down Yandilla Street.
