Holiday Time: Slow Down, Kids Around

Cessnock City Council is proud to be partnering with the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation to launch the Holiday Time: Slow Down, Kids Around road safety campaign.  

This important campaign officially launched today just in time for the summer school holidays. In conjunction with the launch, colourful signage with pedestrian road safety messages will be installed at key locations across the Cessnock Local Government Area.  

The messages will remind drivers to slow down and be vigilant during the holiday period and encourage adults to hold the hands of any children under their supervision.    

The Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation was started by Michelle and David McLaughlin, following the death of their four-year-old son Tom in a pedestrian road accident on the Central Coast in 2014.

The campaign is now operating in over 40 local government areas in four states across the country and will continue to expand to other coastal and holiday destinations in the future. Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent said this is a wonderful initiative to be part of and hopes the community and visitors to our region take notice of the signs and slow down these school holidays.  

“No parent should have to go through what Michelle and David McLaughlin have with the loss of their son Tom. I admire and commend their passion for promoting child road safety initiatives and education to ensure a tragedy like this doesn’t happen again.”  

Foundation Founder and CEO Michelle McLaughlin said she is delighted Cessnock  City Council is erecting the signs around the area ahead of the busy school holiday period.  

"We lost our precious son, Tom in the blink of an eye. We don’t want this to happen to anyone else. The cost is just too high. That’s why the 'Holiday Time, Slow Down Kids Around' message is so important," Mrs McLaughlin said.    

12/18/2018