Children will be crossing the Great Eastern Highway more frequently and, while there may be changes to the speed limit in the future, everyone may have to be patient for a permanent solution.

Children often get distracted and don’t pay as much attention around roads as they perhaps should.

Unfortunately, the same sometimes applies to drivers.

Sergeant Shane Crook of Merredin Police said it was saddening to know that every year about 20 children under the age of 16 years were killed on WA roads.

In addition, a further 280 were severely injured requiring hospitalisation.

“One area of concern is how easily drivers can be distracted when behind the wheel; mobile phones, using a GPS unit, eating and the activity of passengers are common distractions while driving,” Sergeant Crook said.

“Any of these can distract us from giving our full attention when driving.

“As a result, any lapse in our attention for just a moment could have heartbreaking consequences.

“Motorists should also be mindful of the road rules around school buses, using indicators, slowing down and giving way.

“Waiting a few seconds for a bus to pull out is not going to make much difference to your travel time, but may prevent you from causing a serious accident.

“If we all make sure we drive cautiously and reduce our speed in school zones to 40km/h from 7.30am until 9am and 2.30pm until 4pm, we will help keep our children safe.”