Media Release

18 January 2012

Watch out for our kids!

From Monday, 30 January, school children all over Selwyn District will make the journey back to school. Whether by school bus, bike, car, scooter, on foot, or whatever, the message is the same: Watch out – children are about!!!

Selwyn Road Safety Co-ordinator Ngaire Tinning advises motorists to keep their speed down around schools, early childhood centres and stopped school buses.

“Children do not have the same road sense that adults do, and can unexpectedly run out on to the road. Drivers should slow down and be extra cautious when driving near schools and early childhood centres, and remember that ‘20 is Plenty’ past a school bus that has stopped to let children on or off,” Mrs Tinning says.

Selwyn Police will continue their “no excuses” stance enforcing speed past schools, early childhood centres and stopped school buses. If drivers choose not to follow common sense around our schools and get stopped for speeding, then they will receive a fine, no exceptions Police will also be monitoring speed past stopped school buses.

Parents need to remind children to watch out for cars speeding past schools and unsafe driving practices when parents are dropping children off or picking them up.

“I have surveyed driver behaviour outside schools, and the main concerns are U-turns, three point turns in front of oncoming traffic, double parking and parking on yellow lines near crossings and intersections. All of these driver choices create a very unsafe environment for young children arriving at school, some for the first time.”

Tips to lessen chaos at the school gate:

· Reduce speed around schools

· Park well back from crossings and intersections

· Ensure children walking, scootering or biking wear their safety vest for increased visibility

· If dropping them off by car, ensure they get out on the footpath side of the car

· Encourage them to make safe choices, using pedestrian crossings, kea crossings and always be looking out for vehicles on driveways

· Teach them the ”kerb drill” and to judge safe distances

· Be patient

Resources to help parents and children learn road safety, including bus and cycle safety, are available from Mrs Tinning at the council.

ends

© Scoop Media