To: Hon Edmond Atalla MP, Councillor Dorothy DEL VILLAR, Councillor Bob FITZGERALD (Deputy Mayor) and Councillor Peter CAMILLERI, Hon Ed Husic MP

Thursday, 12th December, my two sons, aged 16 and 9, were hit by a car while crossing at the pedestrian crossing on Duke Street. Despite being rushed to Westmead Children’s Hospital in an ambulance, we are grateful that they escaped without serious physical injuries. However, the incident has left them mentally shaken and deeply traumatized. Every time we approach the same crossing, the horrifying memories of that day come flooding back.

This crossing is a vital pathway for our community, yet it remains dangerously inadequate. Typically, there are zigzag lines leading up to pedestrian crossings, but those are missing here. Additionally, the streetlights are insufficient, making it difficult for motorists to sight pedestrians. The crossing currently only features basic white-striped pedestrian markings, which fail to ensure the safety of the many children and adults who rely on it daily. We urgently call for additional safety measures to be implemented to prevent further accidents and tragedies.

Why This Matters:

Statistics about pedestrian crossing accidents in New South Wales (NSW) highlight the urgency of this issue:

• Fatalities: Around 50 pedestrians are killed on NSW roads each year, and over 1,000 are hospitalized. In 2023, 47 people were killed on NSW roads.
• Location: 72% of fatal pedestrian crashes in NSW occur on roads in Sydney, Newcastle, or Wollongong.
• Speed: A pedestrian hit by a car traveling at 50 km/h is twice as likely to die as one hit by a car traveling at 40 km/h.
• Vulnerability: Children, like my sons, are particularly vulnerable as they may act unpredictably and are harder for drivers to see.

This is not the first accident at this crossing, nor, unfortunately, will it be the last unless action is taken.

• Heavy Foot Traffic: The crossing is used daily by hundreds of children during school terms and numerous members of the community, including worshippers visiting the Rooty Hill mosque.
• Inadequate Safety Features: The absence of speed humps and pedestrian-controlled crossing lights means vehicles often approach at unsafe speeds, putting lives at risk.
• Recurring Danger: Without proper infrastructure, incidents like the one involving my children could happen again—with potentially more devastating outcomes.

What We Are Calling For:

• Traffic Survey: Conduct a traffic survey to assess pedestrian and vehicle patterns and inform further safety measures.
• Enhanced Street Lighting: Install brighter and strategically placed streetlights to improve visibility for drivers, especially at night.
• Installation of Speed Humps: To slow down approaching vehicles and ensure they reduce speed near the crossing.
• Pedestrian-Controlled Crossing Lights: To give pedestrians the ability to cross safely and clearly signal vehicles to stop.
• Increased Signage and Visibility: To alert drivers well in advance and emphasize the importance of stopping for pedestrians.

The safety of our children and community members must be a priority. By signing this petition, you are joining our call for urgent action to upgrade the pedestrian crossing on Duke Street. We cannot afford to wait for another accident to occur before improvements are made.

Together, we can make a difference and ensure that everyone in our community can cross the street safely.

We urge the council to act promptly and commit to a timeline for assessing and implementing these changes. Updates and progress reports will assure the community that safety improvements are a priority.

Please sign and share this petition today.

Thank you for supporting this important cause.