Pupils push for road safety

About 250 school traffic wardens will help keep their Wairarapa classmates safe while crossing roads near schools this year.

Several organisations including Wairarapa Road Safety Council, Plunket, Rural Women New Zealand and New Zealand Police are reminding motorists that young pupils are returning to school during the next two weeks.

About 250 School Traffic Safety Team members will be starting duties on crossings as schools reopen for the new term, says Masterton Police Youth Education Constable Susan Esler.

Ms Esler said she and fellow Police Youth Education Constable Keely Riwai-Couch train the teams at a dozen Wairarapa schools.

In about a fortnight, the pair will accompany teams on their morning and afternoon school crossing duties and traffic safety lessons from last year will be revised.

"We'll go out with them and make sure correct calls are being made and they're speaking clearly. It's a chance to revise what they've already learned," Ms Esler said.

Parents also have a vital role to play in traffic safety near schools, as does every motorist who travels past a school in the region, especially when schools are starting and finishing for the day.

MPS deputy principal Stephen Elliott said the School Traffic Safety team is made up of Year 6 pupils who receive their initial training late in Year 5.

"The leadership side of it is quite a big thing and it does help develop strength and confidence," he said.

Mr Elliott said the school had a perfect traffic safety record despite more traffic and parking congestion outside the school.

Parents in vehicles are blocked from entering the school gates at peak traffic times and parked cars were the major problem for the traffic wardens, who always have an adult supervisor when on duty.

Kerry Hefferen, Wairarapa Road Safety Council and School Travel Plan co-ordinator, said she heads a scheme aimed at reducing traffic near schools at the start and end of the school day. The School Travel Plan scheme involves the Greater Wellington Regional Council and district councils in Wairarapa that have so far partnered with Masterton Primary, Douglas Park and Fernridge schools in Masterton, Carterton School, Greytown School and St Teresa's School in Featherston.

"We want to see more kids biking, scootering and walking to school," Ms Hefferen said.

A Movin' March All In Day will be held region-wide on March 20 where "every student can experience the learning and fun" of walking or wheeling to school.

She said flashing School Zone signs are another traffic safety feature for pupils at Fernridge, Mauriceville, Lakeview, Wainuioru, Solway Primary and Masterton Primary schools and new signs will be erected this week in Johnstone St and near Tinui School.

Any schools wishing to participate in the School Travel Plan can contact Kerry Hefferen at REAP House at 377 1379.