Staff at Haddon Primary School are manning a new school crossing because of fears over the safety of children.
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A new school crossing was installed on Sago Hill Rd earlier this year but many drivers still speed dangerously along Sago Hill Rd when children are trying to cross.
Although the crossing is technically unmanned, meaning motorists must stop when the flags are displayed if children are waiting to cross the road, principal Maryanne Moody has rostered staff to man the crossing before and after school to ensure student safety.
"Our dilemma is people are going straight through the crossing, and speeding through the whole precinct even when the the speed limit drops to 40," she said.
"There has been quite a bit of concern and angst among families and staff as to the safety of the crossing so we now man it with staff members, at our cost, which is almost unsustainable in the long term but we are morally bound to do it because we have a duty of care."
The speed limit along Sago Hill Rd outside the school is 60kmh, except during school times when it drops to 40kmh, but motorists flying past at more than 80kmh is a regular occurrence.
Solar flashing lights are in place to alert drivers to the 40kmh zone.
"We are rostering teachers and admin staff to man the crossing. It's not the pay that is costing us but the time," Ms Moody said.
"It means that 1 1/2 hours every morning and afternoon is time taken out of their normal tasks, so the workload increases for staff because they are out supervising the crossing," Mr Moody said.
About 90 students a day use the crossing.
Ms Moody wondered whether Ballarat drivers were used to looking out for school crossing supervisors at the city's crossings, and because the Haddon crossing was unmanned they were missing the red and white poles and the fluorescent flags placed out morning and afternoon.
"We did ask for volunteers but parents are too anxious about the responsibility of manning the crossing, they felt it was too bigger responsibility to man the crossing on our behalf.
Ms Moody said incidents of dangerous driving had fallen slightly toward the end of last term as local road users got used to the crossing, but children would still be in danger if the crossing was not supervised.
In a statement, the Golden Plains Shire Council said the crossing was installed at the request of parents and staff of Haddon Primary School, with the understanding there would not be a crossing supervisor at the site.
It said the speed limits were clearly marked with variable speed limit signs, and advised all road users to take care and obey signed limits.
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