Orange Day parade highlights road safety this Friday

Wellington City Council is thrilled to once again support the Orange Day parade, the annual Road Patrollers March for Road Safety, happening this Friday 1 September.

The event, which has been running for over 20 years in Wellington, with other local authorities following suit with their own versions, will involve over 1400 road patrollers and adults, led by the Scots College Pipe Band.

Constable Duncan Ashton from Youth Aid Services says “With yet another wet and wild winter coming to a close, the Wellington Police would like to praise the unwavering efforts of all our school road patrollers, by controlling and monitoring traffic at our busiest times of the day. We would also like to thank motorists for their patience and consideration around schools, and a reminder to those that aren’t, that we will continue to strictly enforce laws like speeding and illegal parking near schools. The Orange Day parade is a fun way to reward the school patrollers and celebrate road safety in our city.”

Transport portfolio lead Councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman has fond memories of his own days as a road patroller at Hataitai School. “It was a long time ago but I still recall my Wednesday roster, and I’m delighted the street parade recognises the contribution our dedicated patrollers still make in Wellington.”

New Zealand road patrollers are unique in that we are one of the few countries to use students to perform the road patrol duties. The event is organised by the New Zealand Police School Community Officers in partnership with Wellington City Council Transport staff and supported by Pak ‘n Save Kilbirnie.

The parade route starts at Parliament at 10am and travels down Lambton Quay, Willis Street and Mercer Street to Civic Square, where the patrollers will move onto the Michael Fowler Centre for their prize giving ceremony. Mayor Justin Lester will be handing out the prizes for best banners and best presence in the parade.

Wellingtonians along the parade route are invited to join in the celebration by cheering on our road safety heroes as they march through the city. A rolling road closure will be provided by the NZ Police, please follow their instructions, and expect some delays along the parade route.

ENDS

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