A SCHOOLGIRL is pleading with motorists to be more alert after she was nearly mown down by a bus which appeared to jump a red light at a crossing.
Georgia Collins, 10, was crossing a busy road in Weymouth with two friends when she said an unidentified bus shot past, narrowly missing them. She said her friend Vonn Santos had to leap out of the way.
Georgia, who is in year six at St John’s Primary School, said she was left shaking and crying following the incident at Lodmoor Hill lights on Dorchester Road.
Her mother Hannah claimed some drivers passing Lodmoor Hill showed a ‘complete lack of consideration’.
Georgia said: “The bus was extremely close to hitting my friend Vonn and my other friend Bethany had to scream at him to jump back.
“It was a traumatising experience to witness and it shocked me so much; I can’t stop thinking about what could have happened.”
Georgia said she didn’t know what type of bus it was but it did not appear to be one operated by the borough’s main bus provider First.
She added: “All vehicles on Dorchester Road should take extra care to notice the lights on Lodmoor Hill.
“I have seen many motorists approach the lights too quickly, so if the lights do change they don’t have time to stop.
“A lot of children use this crossing on their way home from school so drivers should already know the importance of paying attention to traffic signals.”
Her mother Hannah Collins, 29, said: “I was minutes behind Georgia on Dorchester Road with my two other children Megan and Kieron, and couldn’t believe what happened.
“I could have walked up the road minutes later to a completely different situation.
“This is the second time I have witnessed a vehicle failing to stop for the red light and the last time I even reported it to the police.
“Children should feel safe when crossing the road; this is so beyond unacceptable and I can’t believe motorists act like this.”
- Transport and infrastructure spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Christine James, said there is no excuse for driving of this nature, especially jumping a red light.
Coun James added: “First of all I’m so glad the young group of children were not injured but the situation could have ended up so much worse.
“The Lodmoor Hill traffic lights are easily seen from driving in both directions and I struggle to see how anyone could miss a red light.
“More care and concern by motorists is definitely needed.
“I recently had a meeting with Dorset County Council where I discussed road safety; recently there are far too many motorists skipping amber and even red lights and schemes are likely to be put in place early next year that will tackle this.”
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