The Kimball family, Kerri, Noah, Chris and Violet promote the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation message at Hastings Point. Photo Tweed Shire Council
Great holiday fun is arriving on our doorstep from next week with the festive season and the long summer holidays about to begin. With all the excitement the Tweed Shire Council is partnering with the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation to remind parents, careers and children how important it is to treat the roads with respect and remember to hold hands when walking near and crossing roads.
‘Holiday Time: Slow Down, Kids Around’ signs have been erected at at Kingscliff and Hastings Point to remind both pedestrians and motorists about road safety over the holidays.
The Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation was set up by Michelle and David McLaughlin, whose young son Tom died in a pedestrian road accident while holidaying on the Central Coast in January 2014.
‘It is sobering to hear that this time can, in fact, be particularly dangerous for our kids as they are in unfamiliar environments and can be over excited,’ Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Katie Milne said.
It is recommended that parents and carers hold a child’s hand while crossing a road until the aged of 10 and continue close supervisions until at least 12.
‘I want to stress to the community, parents and carers that we must hold our children’s hands when on or near roadways until the age of 10, and closely supervise children until at least 12 because they can’t always identify safe places to cross the road and act inconsistently in the traffic environment,’ Mrs McLaughlin said.
Kingscliff and Hastings Point are very popular with young families and motorists are urged to slow down on the Tweed Coast as more pedestrians and vehicles will be on the roads during the holiday period.
