Police out in force to keep pupils safe

St Joseph's School teacher Allison Clarke with new entrants in room 4, Max Asolua, (left) Teaoia Tangau, Syrah Ryan-Thorpe, Amanat Singh and Aroha Akurangi. Photo / Paul Taylor

About 400 new 5-year-old pupils will begin their educational journey during the next two weeks throughout Hawke's Bay.

More than 10,000 5-year-olds head off to class for the first time as New Zealand schools open for the first term this week and next.

During 2015 about 2400 year one students will begin classes at a Hawke's Bay school.

"Across the whole of this year an estimated 63,870 5-year-olds will begin their primary schooling for the first time," Ministry of Education head of sector enablement and support Katrina Casey said.

"Altogether, a total of 744,100 students will be heading back to school from Years 1 to 13."

However, with more children beginning and returning to school, police are urging care on roads.

Strictly enforced speed limits around school zones and behaviour that puts our most vulnerable road users at risk will be the target for police.

Acting road-policing national manager Inspector Pete McKennie said: "It's important therefore that all drivers be aware of their speed and keep a sharp lookout for children, particularly as there will be more kids walking, cycling and bussing to school.

"This means slowing down and giving yourself enough time and space to stop suddenly if needed, as well as giving cyclists plenty of room and travelling at no more than 20km/h past a stationary school bus."

A permanent 4km/h reduced-speed threshold remains in place around all school zones, and police will be strictly enforcing the limit within 250m of school boundaries with speed cameras and a range of other tactics, Mr McKennie said.

Police will also be focusing on child restraints, cycle safety, and vehicles being parked on broken yellow lines or in unsafe locations.

Since 2007, more than 1180 child pedestrians have been killed or injured during school terms.

Hawke's Bay police Senior Sergeant Greg Brown said: "No one wants to start our year with a child being seriously hurt or killed."

He said while the focus is keeping children safe, for the driver the consequences of speeding past a school bus are significant.

Driving at 50km/h past a school bus will see the driver being fined $230 and 35 demerits, 56km/h is $400 and 50 demerits.