More than 400 people have signed a petition calling for a school crossing outside St Ita’s Catholic Primary School in Drouin.

The change.org petition, launched last week by parent Dorothy McMahon, attracted more than 400 signatories within days.

Ms McMahon, who has two sons in grades prep and three at the school, said she and other parents wanted to ensure their children could walk to school safely.

“I want my boys to be able to walk to school and know they are safe crossing the road,” she said.

The petition states Drouin’s traffic is growing with its population and the traffic on Victoria St during school drop-off and pick-up times was busy.

With increased residential development surrounding the Victoria St school site, Ms McMahon cannot understand how a crossing in a school zone is not compulsory.

Speed zones of 40 km/hour are already in place but there is no appointed place for children to cross the road.

Ms McMahon said one of the biggest safety risks to students and members of the school community was caused by cars overtaking cars waiting in the carline to pick up students.

“If a student is waiting to cross the road, they do so from between parked cars. This means that they might not see the oncoming traffic until the last moment, nor will the motorists see the children as they wait to come out onto the road,” the petition said.

Many parents also park in Lawrence Rd for easier access to parking, which means students have to cross Victoria St to get to school.

Ms McMahon said Victoria St also was a main crossing point for students walking to Drouin Primary School.

Parents at the school are desperate for a school crossing and will use the petition to lobby Baw Baw Shire Council.

School principal Andrew Osler said the school’s highest priority was the health, safety and wellbeing of students.