Perth private school sounds alarm over ‘dangerous' children's crossing
Traffic wardens are refusing to work at a 'dangerous' children's crossing servicing a West Australian private school, citing the significant number of drivers choosing to speed through the area who put their lives – and students' – at risk.
Presbyterian Ladies' College has spoken out after receiving a notice from WA Police's Children's Crossing Unit that the latest traffic warden appointed to the role had asked to be removed not long after starting because they felt unsafe.
The school has struggled to find a long-term traffic warden for the crossing along Stirling Highway in Peppermint Grove since 2021, with staff having to fill any gaps – sometimes for months at a time.
Principal Cate Begbie, who has also taken on shifts at the crossing, said the school had spent the years since warning police and the state government it was unsafe, with multiple near-misses and serious incidents recorded.
Begbie said she feared the lack of response would lead to a tragedy unless there was immediate change.
No students have been involved in an accident, but there have been several car accidents at the crossing over the past few years and, in 2024, the traffic warden working at the time was hit by a car.
He was seriously injured and has been unwilling to return to the job since.
WA Police placed a temporary speed camera at the crossing after that incident and clocked 401 cars driving over the speed limit in the space of just 80 minutes.
Those 80 minutes were right after school finished for the day.
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Perth private school sounds alarm over ‘dangerous' children's crossing
Traffic wardens are refusing to work at a 'dangerous' children's crossing servicing a West Australian private school, citing the significant number of drivers choosing to speed through the area who put their lives – and students' – at risk. Presbyterian Ladies' College has spoken out after receiving a notice from WA Police's Children's Crossing Unit that the latest traffic warden appointed to the role had asked to be removed not long after starting because they felt unsafe. The school has struggled to find a long-term traffic warden for the crossing along Stirling Highway in Peppermint Grove since 2021, with staff having to fill any gaps – sometimes for months at a time. Principal Cate Begbie, who has also taken on shifts at the crossing, said the school had spent the years since warning police and the state government it was unsafe, with multiple near-misses and serious incidents recorded. Begbie said she feared the lack of response would lead to a tragedy unless there was immediate change. No students have been involved in an accident, but there have been several car accidents at the crossing over the past few years and, in 2024, the traffic warden working at the time was hit by a car. He was seriously injured and has been unwilling to return to the job since. WA Police placed a temporary speed camera at the crossing after that incident and clocked 401 cars driving over the speed limit in the space of just 80 minutes. Those 80 minutes were right after school finished for the day.
