An Aberdeenshire dad shares his scary experience outside a school and pushes for a safer crossing for kids.
Michael, who is partially sighted, started a petition when he saw how busy the traffic was getting. It’s a real worry for kids outside the school on Duff Street.
While waiting for his daughter, he saw a car stop for kids to cross. But then, another car zoomed past at 40mph, just as the kids stepped off the curb.
He said it was so close to being a disaster. On a day meant for celebrating, it could have turned into a nightmare.
Since the local lollipop patrol service ended last year, the need for a safe crossing has become urgent. Plus, a new supermarket has made traffic even worse.
Aberdeenshire Council cut funding for crossing patrollers, and now it’s chaos. Michael pointed out that the winter sun and parked cars make it hard to see when crossing.
He’s been busy measuring traffic and found up to 70 cars pass through in just 10 minutes. With friends, he’s handed out 1,500 flyers to raise awareness.
His online petition has already gathered over 2,000 signatures. It’s clear the community is behind him.
In December 2024, the council announced plans for a zebra crossing in the 2025/2026 budget. Michael is hopeful this will keep kids safe for years to come.
He’s even received the MacDuff Quaich award for his hard work and dedication to this cause. It’s a big step towards making the streets safer for everyone.
