Keeping Kids Safe on Our Roads


Dunedin (Friday, 24 April 2015) – Road safety will be in the spotlight at two more Dunedin primary schools this term.

Pick Up, Drop Off safety projects are being launched at Wakari and Carisbrook Schools next week, along with a range of other road safety activities taking place.

Dunedin City Council Safe and Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator Charlotte Flaherty says, “The traffic environment around schools is highly complex and requires a special approach given the interaction between vehicles and children and the specific times at which those activity peaks occur.”

The safety projects at the two schools are designed to ease congestion and increase safety for students at school pick up and drop off times. They include creating areas close to the school where parents can drop off and collect children safely without getting out the car. They also include using ‘safe meet spots’ a short distance from school entrances for older children to walk to after school. The work is developed in consultation with the school community, the DCC and the Police.

Wakari School Principal Chris Smith says the work will help the school “improve congestion problems and the safety of students both before and after school”.

Carisbrook School Principal Ben Sincock says, “Introducing safe pick up and drop off points is another step forward in keeping our students safe.”

A range of other activities are being held next week. Wakari School students, led by Senior Constable Ross Greer, will be exploring ‘safe meet spots’ and getting a refresher on safe walking, the use of pedestrian crossings and school patrols.

Carisbrook School students will also carry out an exercise with Constables Kerry Fegan and Nils Barth looking at safe walking and stopping distances.

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