Gisborne, police have issued a reminder on back-to-school road safety

Outside Kaiti School in Gisborne. Police are reminding parents and drivers to prioritise road safety as students return to school. Photo / Murray Robertson

Police have urged families to prioritise the safety of tamariki heading back to school and those who are about to.

A police statement said road safety should be “front of mind alongside parents regular back-to-school checklist”.

“Show your kids the safest way to get to school and back home – including the safest places to cross - and practice it with them, so when it comes time to doing it alone, they are confident,” Inspector Peter McKennie of the National Road Policing Centre said.

“Teach them to use the marked pedestrian crossings and to look both ways before they cross, and arrange pick-up spots to meet.”

He reminded drivers to remain attentive on the roads in both urban and rural areas, as children could often be unpredictable and appear out of nowhere.

Police road safety advice for back-to-school time:

• Be alert as children can be unpredictable and dart out onto the road.
• Parents set the best example for young people on how road users need to be safe and smart on roads.
• Drivers need to 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 drivers need to reduce speed to below 30km/h when passing schools.
• Drivers should allow for plenty of time for school drop-offs so they are not rushed, and give the road 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.
• Parents should take the time to show their 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.
• Parents should encourage their child or children to use the marked school crossing whether that be a pedestrian crossing, kea crossing or their school traffic wardens.