We, the concerned citizens, are petitioning for the upgrade of the "crossing zone" to the installation of a dedicated pedestrian crossing on King Highway (Malbon St) adjacent to the Bungendore Public School. This upgrade is vital to ensure the safety of children and pedestrians attending this school, and accessing nearby community facilities such as the local pool, sports oval and Kindergarten. 

Located on a busy highway, the local High and Primary Schools face significant traffic volume during peak hours, posing dangers to pedestrians. Currently lacking a dedicated pedestrian crossing, pedestrians face challenges and safety risks when crossing the road. In particular, on ACT long weekends that are not shared by NSW, coast bound and returning traffic make it almost impossible to safely cross this busy highway. 

A pedestrian crossing is more suitable and safer than just a crossing zone without pedestrian crossing markings for several reasons:

1. Safety: A pedestrian crossing is specifically designed to provide a safe place for pedestrians to cross the road. It has clear markings, signals, and signs to indicate to both pedestrians and drivers where the crossing is and what they should do. This ensures that everyone knows what to expect and can act accordingly, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
2. Visibility: Pedestrian crossings are highly visible and easily identifiable, making them more effective in alerting drivers to the presence of pedestrians. They are typically painted with bright and bold colors and often have flashing lights to draw attention to the crossing. This helps to reduce the likelihood of drivers not seeing pedestrians crossing the road.
3. Priority: Pedestrian crossings give priority to pedestrians over vehicles, making it clear to drivers that they must stop and give way to pedestrians. This is particularly important near schools, where children may be crossing the road without a guardian or may not be aware of the dangers of traffic.
4. Legal status: Pedestrian crossings have a legal status, and drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians on a crossing can be fined or prosecuted. This provides an extra layer of protection for pedestrians and gives them the legal right to cross the road safely.
5. Accessibility: Pedestrian crossings are designed to be accessible to all pedestrians, including those with mobility impairments or disabilities. They often have ramps or slopes to allow wheelchair users or those with prams or strollers to cross safely.

In contrast, a crossing zone without pedestrian crossing markings does not have any of these features. While it may be cheaper to implement, it does not provide the same level of safety, visibility, priority, legal status, or accessibility as a pedestrian crossing. This can lead to confusion among both drivers and pedestrians and increase the risk of accidents and injuries.

Therefore, a dedicated and appropriately marked and signposted pedestrian crossing is a more suitable option for ensuring the safety of pedestrians crossing the road.