Woman fined for hitting crossing supervisor with her car

A GROVEDALE woman was fined $400 without conviction in Geelong Magistrates’ Court for having deliberately struck a Surf Coast Shire school crossing supervisor with her vehicle.

The woman, 65, pleaded guilty to charges of careless driving and having disobeyed a traffic control signal.

In November, she drove through a red light entering an intersection being controlled by the crossing supervisor during school pick-up hours, and deliberately struck the supervisor with her vehicle.

The supervisor was shaken but not seriously injured.

The defendant appeared in court on May 27.

Charges of unlawful assault and assault with a weapon were withdrawn.

Torquay police Leading Senior Constable Lisa Kearney said the incident was serious.

“The victim in this matter was simply fulfilling her duties in helping children safely cross a busy road when the female has deliberately driven through the red light and struck her.”

The Surf Coast Shire oversees 12 school crossings and employs 20 crossing supervisors.

Shire general manager of environment and planning Ransce Salan said the safety of all council employees was always priority.

“Our employees should be able to go to work expecting to be safe.

“It is very disappointing that some might be subjected to unlawful acts of aggression while working to preserve community order and the safety of others.

“We urge people to show care and respect.”

Council employees have been subjected to 17 incidents of assault, intimidation or use of inappropriate language in the year to May 31.

During May, the Surf Coast Shire raised the issue of occupational violence and aggression against council officers for discussion at the Municipal Association of Victoria’s State Council meeting.

The MAV State Council resolved to call on the Victorian Government to provide greater protection for authorised council officers by including them under the Sentencing Act 1991.