Be Alert around Schools

27 January 2012

Be Alert around Schools

Motorists are reminded to take care around schools as children start to return to school next week.

From 2006 to 2010, 51 pedestrians were injured in the Waikato district. Over half of these were children under the age of 15 years, Road Safety Co-ordinator for the Waikato district Megan Jolly said.

“The faster you drive, the harder the impact. A person hit by a vehicle travelling at 30km has about a 95 per cent chance of surviving a crash, however the survival rate for someone hit by a vehicle travelling at 70km is only about five per cent,” she said.

“Some children have difficulty judging distances and may step out onto the road giving drivers little time to react. Motorists should therefore slow down around schools and be prepared to stop at any time,” Ms Jolly said.

Parents dropping children off at school also need to take care. Tips include: Park the car legally (parking restrictions are put in place for your child's safety), always have children exit the car from the left, and if your child has to cross the road from your car, use a kea crossing if available or cross the road with them.

ENDS