Safe System Snippet #12

Can raised school crossings be confused with raised pedestrian crossings (wombat crossings) when the flags are not out? This concern is often aired in contemplating raising a school crossing to improve the safety of children crossing. We feel that:

1. We should aim for wombat crossings at these locations, thus providing a safer walking environment 24×7

2. If a wombat crossing can’t be installed for some reason, a raised school crossing is still a good safety device, and better than an at-grade school crossing as it forces vehicles to slow.

3. If installing a raised school crossing, consider making it wider than usual to move the piano key marking away from the crossing point, always keep it the colour of the surrounding road environment and clearly delineate the road edge.