A DRIVER involved in a collision with a 12-year-old boy near a Dursley school has said the road is a “fatality waiting to happen”. 

The youngster was clipped by the wing-mirror of a passing Ford Fiesta near Rednock School in Kingshill Road at around 8.30am on Monday.

Paramedics treated him for minor injuries at the scene.

The motorist, who did not wish to be named, contacted the Gazette and raised concerns about the danger of Kingshill Road during school drop-off and collection times. 

“It is a fatality waiting to happen and one poor driver is going to have to live with that for the rest of their lives,” he said. 

“There should be some sort of crossing, or even the speed limit reduced to 20mph. It would mean there was more chance of a pedestrian surviving."

He added: “A lot of the students cross the road there without paying attention.”

Since the incident, scores of people from the area have taken to Facebook to share their views and debate the best means of preventing further incidents on the stretch of road. 

Some have recommended educating pupils to increase their awareness of dangers on the road, with residents in the area suggesting many students do not use the crossing and frequently walk out in front of cars without paying attention.

Others have argued that tighter restrictions need to be placed on drivers, calling for a speed limit reduction from 30mph to 20mph and the introduction of speed bumps on the stretch of road directly outside the school.

Eliza Hollywood, of Dursley, said: “I am scared for my life and my six-year-old's life almost every time I leave my house and try to cross Kingshill Road. 

“We experience constant narrow misses, and trying to get him to and from school along Everlands is no better. 

“Some parents are in such a rush to get in and out that I worry one day a small child is going to be killed.”

Joanne Tipper said: “I go very carefully when driving around Rednock when they are coming out of school. However, the number of times the children just walk out into the road without looking is unbelievable. 

“I have only managed not to hit them as I am very aware of them.”

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said officers will continue to work with the school to educate children on road safety and visit more frequently in the coming days. 

Officers told the Gazette they also plan to increase their presence in Kingshill Road outside school during peak times over the next few days. 

Inspector Andy Poole said: “We do a lot of work with staff and pupils at the school around road safety and will continue to carry out talks there about the issue.

“In light of this incident, our PCSOs will also aim to attend the school more often in the upcoming days to provide further reassurance.”

Local Highways manager for Gloucestershire County Council Andrew Middlecote said the authority may consider taking action to make the road safer.

“I was saddened to hear of the incident outside Rednock School and I hope all involved are ok," he said. 

"There will be a police collision report, and following this we’ll decide if any further action is needed.” 

Rednock School did not respond to the Gazette's requests for a comment.