Kea patrol writing

I strongly believe that we should have kea patrol at schools  because it saves lives on the main road. Karoro School is situated on State Highway 6 and even though the speed limit is 40 km/hour from 8:30-9 and 3:00-3:15 every school day, people still speed.  The two main reasons for having a kea crossing are safety and responsibility.

Firstly, safety is key for all schools.  By safety I mean young homo sapiens arriving at school and getting home untouched. Did you know two children get injured each week by getting hit on New Zealand roads! It is vital to have kea patrol because kids are thinking about nothing but getting home and they might spontaneously run across the active state highway.   Without road patrol we may have two or more children being hurt or even killed every single day.  

Secondly, kea road patrol gives year seven and eight students responsibility, leadership and an understanding of road safety.  By responsibility I mean year 7 and 8 students are trained by NZ Police to put other people’s children in their hands.  23,000 students do this every year by putting on their high visibility vest, getting the flags, picking up the lollypop signs and heading to the roadside.  Before any children cross State Highway 6 outside Karoro School the caller states “check” and when it is clear of traffic or traffic has stopped the other student calls “clear” and “cross now.”  Students ensure the teachers return safely and then state “off patrol” and take the signs out.  Did you know in England the adults do road patrol and are called Lollypop Man and Lollypop Woman?  In New Zealand the children always do it!  Road patrol provides our young people with a sense of road safety for themselves and others.

Kea patrol is a brilliant thing.  It keeps our kids safe from road danger and enables responsibility and leadership for year seven and eights.  I am very grateful that this is enforced and I have the opportunity to save lives on the road!

By Daniel