NEWS RELEASE
1 June 2007

Orange Day march to celebrate school patrols

Wellington’s very own road safety superstars will be dressing in orange and marching through the central city on Friday 8 June to celebrate school patrols and the fantastic job they do.

About 1000 children from 35 Wellington city primary schools are expected to take part in the annual Orange Day street parade from Parliament, along Lambton Quay and Willis Street to Civic Square, led by the Scots College pipe band.

The march starts at 10am and will be followed by a celebration and entertainment at the Town Hall to thank the school patrols for their dedication and hard work. Hosts for the day are local theatre sports group The Improvisors.

Wellington Police Education Officer Constable Trish Morris, who trains school patrols, says that patrols have a very responsible job controlling both motorists and pedestrians.

“Patrols have had an amazing safety record since they were established in the 1930s. But today's traffic patterns are very different, and it is the responsibility of all drivers to ensure they do not hinder the patrols,” she says. “This especially happens when vehicles stop on yellow lines or double park, blocking their vision.”

The Chairman of the Council’s Road Safety Reference Group, Councillor Ian McKinnon, says the event is always held in winter to highlight the terrific work the patrols are prepared to do in all weathers.

“The beginning of winter is also a good time to remind all drivers to take special care around schools,” he says. “Traffic congestion is a big problem outside most schools these days and this situation becomes considerably worse in bad weather when more children are dropped off and picked up. People must slow down, and park legally when dropping off or collecting children. Let’s always watch out for our children, including at those crossings.”

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