Police are urging drivers and pedestrians to take extra care on the roads after releasing dashcam footage of a 12-year-old boy who was hit by a car in Fairfield last week.
The boy, who escaped major injury, was running across the road at Palisade Crescent, Bonnyrigg, before being hit an oncoming vehicle, about 3.20pm last Thursday (21 March 2019).
The boy was taken to Liverpool Hospital as a precaution and treated for minor abrasions, before being released; the female driver was uninjured.
The incident has prompted police to remind the community of their obligations on the road, to drive to the conditions and travel at the signposted speeds.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said this incident could easily have had a very different, and possibly tragic outcome, if the driver was travelling above the sign-posted speed.
"This young boy is lucky to be alive, and if vision like this isn't enough to encourage people to slow down and drive safely, I don't know what is," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
"It's a timely reminder to all drivers and pedestrians to take extra care on our roads. There should be no unnecessary distractions when getting behind the wheel or crossing the road.
"You never know when the conditions may change or the unexpected may occur – and you can't expect children to be predictable.
"Police are also urging parents to talk to their children about road safety – remind them to look in both directions before leaving the curb and always use available pedestrian crossings and lights.
"With school holidays and the Easter break only a few weeks away, there will be more traffic on the roads and more children around outside normal school hours.
"Our officers are once again appealing to the community to consider their actions while travelling on the roads, not only during times of celebration, but every day of the year.
"We want to make sure there are no more fatalities on the roads, and that responsibility begins with you," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
