PARENTS in Dawlish are calling for action to stop speeding motorists driving outside two schools.

A petition has already gathered more than 600 signatures in just a few days and follows an accident in which a teenage boy was seriously hurt in a collision.

The incident happened on Friday afternoon at about 3.30pm when a car collided with the boy on Exeter Road.

A police spokesman said the boy sustained a serious arm injury and was taken to Torbay Hospital for treatment.

The road was closed at the junctions with Eastcliff Road and Iddesleigh Terrace and fully reopened by 8.20pm.

The petition was started by Danielle Jordan who is calling on Devon County Council to install a variable speed limit along Exeter Road, before and after the Elm Grove Road junction which leads to Gatehouse Primary School and Dawlish Community College.

The petition also says: ’We would also ask for the installation of flashing ’children crossing’ hazard lights near the zebra crossing and that these are activated during school times.

’We would expect the lower speed limit to be enforced at peak school times just like many other schools in the UK.

’We are sure that by reducing the speed limit at peak times and installing the flashing lights, this would help focus drivers’ attention on the scores of children and adults crossing the road.

’The focus will help lower the number of accidents and the severity of injuries.’

It says there have been a number of ’devastating’ accidents on the zebra crossings involving pedestrians.

When the petition gets to 1,000 signatures, it will be presented to Devon County Council.

Mum Charlotte Ewart told the Dawlish Gazette the teenager was the second student of Dawlish Community college to be knocked down on the same road in a month.

She said: ’My daughter is a pupil and my husband works in Dawlish has walked home past both accidents.

’What is probably needed is a set of traffic lights or at least some traffic calming measures as people come belting round the corner from town and down from Exeter

’Drivers are dangerous on that bend and I hope something can be done before potentially the worst happens.’

Among those supporting the petition is Debra Watts who wrote: ’I see every single day while waiting for my son to finish school the eye-watering speeds that many drivers drive regularly along Elm Grove Road and Exeter Road.

’There should be a 20mph speed limit which needs to be regularly enforced.’

Emily Askew added on the petition: ’Too many times drivers ignore me with my pushchair on crossings and there have been so many near misses.’

Others wrote how cars don’t ’respect’ the 30mph limit and that the crossings are ’very dangerous’ while the road is a hazard with so many children using it.

Some people on social media are calling for further measures including traffic light crossings and speed cameras.

BY ELLEN GRINDLEY