Opinion: Traffic woes putting school pupils in peril

Kaimai School principal Dane Robertson is concerns about traffic outside his school. Photo/John Borren.

Getting to and from school each day has become an increasingly hazardous exercise for students in the Bay.

There are more cars on the road as a result of the region's recent population boom. Our roads are busier and, as a result, more dangerous.

School leaders in the Bay spoke out last week about their growing concerns about the safety risks children face getting to the school gate each day.

Kaimai School principal Dane Robertson said his concerns also extended to the staff and the broader community.

The school is located on State Highway 29. Like many schools in the region, it has experienced massive growth in recent years, and more students were being driven to and from school.

There have been "numerous close calls" as a result, and he describes the situation as a "perfect storm" - four lanes within the parameters of the school, high speeds, merging traffic and limited visibility.

Several vehicles were spotted travelling more than 120km/h past the school gates during a police speed test last year.

Other principals in the Bay expressed similar concerns - among the solutions proposed included an increased police presence outside schools and reviewing speed limits outside schools near state highways.

It's a fair request but police resources are limited and raising driver awareness might be the best solution.

It's pleasing to see that the New Zealand Transport Agency is working with Kaimai and Tauriko schools and is investigating the installation of electronic warning signs and whether speed management could help.

The onus, though, is for drivers to take every caution when driving near busy, high-risk area such as schools. The consequences of not doing so could be tragic.