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Last modified: 11 Aug 2020 8:59am

Primary school pupils crossing a kea crossing with flags and lollipop barriers out outside Ladbrooks School

Drivers can help children learn safe road crossing skills by only stopping for pedestrians at kea crossings when the stop ‘lollipop’ signs are out.

The Council is reminding people that the only time they must stop for pedestrians at a school road patrol (kea crossing) is when the stop lollipop signs are out. Otherwise it is a normal section of road where drivers have right of way.

Stopping for children crossing at other times can be dangerous and can increase the risk of children being injured, School Road Safety Coordinator  Stephanie Hautler says.

“I often see drivers stopping to let children cross at cross points. Although drivers may think stopping is courteous, it’s incredibly dangerous. Slow down for sure, as children are unpredictable, but please don’t wave them across”

“Children may develop the false expectation that all vehicles will stop for them, which increases the risk of them being injured.  Even if you stop, a driver in the other direction may not. It’s unsafe to stop in a live lane of traffic and you run the risk of being rear-ended or worse, being shunted into the pedestrian you were trying to help.”

It’s important that 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. 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 their children:

  • 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 our road safety staff.