Police are urging families to prioritise the safety of our tamariki who are preparing to head back to school over the coming weeks.
The start of the school year is often an exciting moment for families, and road safety should be front of mind alongside your regular back-to-school checklist.
Inspector Peter McKennie of the National Road Policing Centre says road safety around schools is something to take note of all year round and especially at the beginning of the year.
"We continue to remind parents of the crucial role they play in teaching children about the potential dangers they face when going to and from school.
"Show your kids the safest way to get to school and back home - including the safest places to cross - and practice it with them, so when it comes time to doing it alone, they are confident.
"Teach them to use the marked pedestrian crossings and to look both ways before they cross, and arrange pick-up spots to meet."
Inspector McKennie reminds drivers to remain attentive on the road, as children can often be unpredictable and appear out of nowhere. This applies both in rural and urban areas, as their differing environments still present similar safety concerns.
Together with our schools across the country, we all want to ensure the start of the school year is a memorable one for all the right reasons.
