This crossing area provides a safe place for children to cross the road. This week we have witnessed a number of unsafe driving practices around our Kea Crossing. Please be mindful when driving & slow your speed down. Do not park on the yellow lines or in the 3 minute drop-off zone, you will be asked to move. If you need to take your child into the school grounds you need to park elsewhere.

The following comes straight from the NZ Road Code:

On average, 36 pedestrians are killed and 1000 pedestrians are injured on New Zealand roads every year.

Many of these deaths and injuries could be prevented if drivers took more care when using our roads. Please look out for pedestrians whenever you’re behind the wheel. 

Remember:

• Children aren't little adults, so don’t expect them to act like adults. 
• Children, especially those under the age of 9, may not have the skills and abilities needed to be safe in traffic. Be very careful when driving near them. 
• Young children have narrow vision and may not see vehicles as easily as adults do. 
• Children have trouble judging the speed of moving vehicles. They may let a slow vehicle pass and try to cross in front of a fast one. 
• Children often don’t understand that it takes time for a vehicle to stop. 
• Children may have difficulty working out where sounds are coming from. 
• Because children are small, they often can’t see over bushes and parked vehicles. This also means they can’t be seen easily by drivers. 
• Children may have trouble stopping at a kerb and could dart out into traffic. 
• Children can freeze when they find themselves in danger, instead of taking quick action as an adult might. 

Keep a lookout for children at all times. Take special care when driving during 8–9am and 3–4pm, when children are travelling to and from school.