Help teach Selwyn kids safe road crossing skills

Last modified: 29 Jul 2020 10:48am

Selwyn District Council is reminding drivers to stop for pedestrians at kea crossings – but only when the stop ‘lollipop’ signs are out.

The only time drivers must stop for pedestrians is on a pedestrian crossing, at a school road patrol (a kea crossing) when the stop lollipop signs are out, and when pedestrians have a green man at traffic signals.

Although a kea crossing point may look like a pedestrian crossing with the kerb buildouts or a pedestrian refuge in the middle, it is a normal section of road where drivers have right of way, except when the school road patrol is operating.

School Road Safety Coordinator Stephanie Hautler says it’s important pedestrians stop, look and listen before crossing the road at a location with pedestrian facilities, and just like any other section of road, vehicles have the right of way.

“I often see drivers stopping to let children cross at cross points. Although drivers may think it’s courteous stopping in the lane, it’s incredibly dangerous and setting our children up for failure,” she says.

“Children may develop an expectation that all vehicles will stop for them. It’s unsafe for a driver to stop in a live lane of traffic and they run the risk of being rear-ended or worse, being shunted into the pedestrian they were trying to help.”

If a vehicle stops on a crossing point, pedestrians should wave them on and wait for a gap in the traffic to cross safely.

Some handy hints for parents to teach children who are walking to school:

• Wave traffic on and wait for a safe gap to cross.
• Be bright be seen on your way to school, ask your school for a safety vest.
• Cross at the kea crossing when it is operating, this goes for parents too, young people are watching you! Road safety educational resources for parents and children are available from Selwyn District Council. Email  roadsafety@selwyn.govt.nz or phone 347 2705.