Looking for heroes this Road Safety Week

Road Safety Week runs 9 to 15 May – that’s Week 2 of Term 2, with schools able to celebrate the work of those who make our roads safer.

Who are the heroes in your school community who make journeys safer for friends and whānau?

Road Safety Week in New Zealand runs from 9 to 15 May and this year’s theme is Road Safety Heroes.

The week is coordinated by charity Brake New Zealand, with Waka Kotahi and Beca key sponsors.

Brake director Caroline Perry says this year’s theme is about exploring and celebrating the wide range of people who work to make our roads safer.

“That includes road safety professionals, walking school bus volunteers, school patrols, road workers, emergency services, health workers, and transport planners to name just some,” she says.

“Plus, we’re highlighting the part everyone can play. Schools can give recognition to their own road safety heroes.”

Here are Brake’s top suggestions for educators:

• Early years: hold a Beep Beep! Day and learn how to be a road safety hero through activities, songs and games to help parents and children stay safe.
• Primary and intermediate: celebrate road safety heroes e.g. thanking your school crossing patrol, inviting your local police officer, or someone from Fire and Emergency or ambulance service to talk about how they help keep people safe.
• Secondary and youth: students could create a video, play, or campaign to show other students how they can be a road safety hero.

More suggestions and educational resources are on the dedicated website:

Road Safety Week (Brake)(external link)

Kids and the power of persuasion

Caroline says schools can raise awareness of local road safety concerns with parents and the wider community. How? By harnessing the persuasive abilities of students after they have learned about local issues and safe choices.

“With students taking part in activities, there’s that opportunity to not only learn about road safety themselves but also take the messages homes and share them with their parents. It’s a powerful way to motivate adults to then be role models in terms of how they use roads.”

Secondary students prepare

Secondary students in SADD chapters are preparing for Road Safety Week, with a range of activities and social media campaigns in the works.

SADD – Kaitiaki o Ara – has long been a supporter of Road Safety Week, says national manager Donna Govorko.

“This year, we’re encouraging young students to participate in any way they can – with the ‘heroes’ theme in mind. 

Activity ideas are on the SADD blog and include:

• hosting a "Go-Yellow Day"
• taking part in a national Kahoot quiz hosted by Beca
• posting on social media about their road safety heroes.

“Road Safety Week is a great opportunity to celebrate everyone who is contributing to road safety in Aotearoa, especially young Kiwis who want to play their part.”

Read more in the SADD blog:

Road Safety Week 2022 - Who is your road safety hero? (SADD)(external link)

It takes everyone

The Road Safety Week 2022 hero theme aligns with Road to Zero, New Zealand’s road safety strategy and the Safe System approach that it takes everyone working together to keep people safe on our roads.

Learn more about Road to Zero

www.roadtozero.govt.nz(external link)