With the start of the school year fast approaching, police are urging families to prioritise the safety of children on their journeys to and from school.
Inspector Peter McKennie of the National Road Policing Centre highlighted the importance of road safety alongside typical back-to-school preparations.
“Parents play a crucial role in teaching children about road safety and the potential dangers they may encounter,” said Inspector McKennie.
He encouraged families to practice safe travel routes with their children, including identifying the safest places to cross roads and using marked pedestrian crossings.
Drivers are also being reminded to stay vigilant, as children can often behave unpredictably near roads. This advice applies equally to urban and rural areas, as both environments present unique safety challenges.
“By working together with schools and the wider community, we aim to ensure the start of the school year is a safe and positive experience for everyone,” Inspector McKennie added.
Families are encouraged to discuss road safety with their children and arrange clear pick-up and drop-off points to minimise risks.
Tips for road safety around schools:
- Be alert as children can be unpredictable and dart out onto the road.
- Parents set the best example for our young people on how road users need to be safe and smart on roads.
- Be aware that there will be children on the roads cycling to and from school. Give them space and share the road.
- The speed limit is 20km/h when driving past a stationary school bus, and you need to reduce your speed below 30km/h when passing schools.
- Allow for plenty of time for school drop-offs so you are not rushed, and give the road your full attention
- Often drop off and pick up zones can be crowded before and after school. Suggesting a meeting point further down the road might be a safer option to avoid congestion around the area.
- Take the time to show your children the safest route to get to school and back home and practice with them, including the safest places to cross. Remind them to look left and
- right and look out for cars.
Encourage your child(ren) to use the marked school crossing whether that be a pedestrian crossing, kea crossing or their school traffic wardens.
The schools need to do more too. Sorry not sorry.
Having a teeny tiny car park with 80% of the spaces “reserved” for teachers and staff who are not there and having more “no parking/stopping” signs littered along the adjacent roads than Nazi germany just forces people children and vehicles into tighter spaces and INVITES accidents and tragedy. Streamline the drop off points, open up the flow so people can get in and out asap. Put the naughty teachers on crossing guard duty.