[attach id=250718 size="medium"]An alternative school traffic sign with flashing lights that could be introduced instead of the current sign.[/attach]

Traffic signs near schools indicating the times when the road is closed contain so much data in small print that unless a driver practically stops to read the sign, it is difficult to make out what it is saying.

This is not a problem for residents and drivers who live in the area because they know about such signs, but for other drivers and visitors –including tourists – the situation could be rendered much clearer, without compromising the safety of schoolchildren.

Some of these signs contain more information than that indicated on page 77 of the Highway Code. In some cases such signs are placed after a junction so that a driver might then need to reverse or make a U-turn.

As long as drivers drive very slowly, there might not be any need for the road to be completely closed. In other countries roads near schools are not closed at all, but drivers are required to proceed at a slower speed as indicated on the sign.

A proper traffic sign with flashing lights surely communicates more information to drivers during the time that the lights are flashing than the current signs.

Police officers, wardens or other authorised adults need to look after the safety of schoolchildren between such traffic signs, but the flashing lights make it practically impossible for drivers near schools not to take extra care and drive very slowly, and if necessary stop, when children are leaving or entering the school.

A couple of weeks ago, a discussion programme on TV was addressing this issue together with other traffic matters, but none of the participants considered this alternative with reference to traffic signs near schools.

The Malta Automobile Club wishes to suggest that a discussion takes place concerning this alternative school traffic sign that seems to be working well in other countries. The Ministry for Transport, local councils and the other authorities concerned may wish to consider whether it would be appropriate to introduce this kind of school traffic sign in Malta.

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