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News Features
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By NIC DALEY Monday, 06 November 2006
CONGESTED roads often lead to poor driving behaviour, an issue police are dealing with constantly in Howick and Pakuranga. Community services sergeant Keith Olsen says main issues include parents driving through pedestrian crossings when signs are out, illegal and vision-impairing parking and other “unwise parent behaviour”, including encouraging kids to cross the road and not on a pedestrian crossing. He says a lot of police time is spent at schools. “We have many schools in our area that have crossings, or school traffic safety teams. We get around each of those patrolled crossings at least once a month and usually more. “Those that have the worst problems get more visits.” He says the Manukau City Council is putting lights at some crossings in an attempt to change driving behaviour. But Mr Olsen questions the safety concerns of parents. “Lots of children walk to school every day of the week and never have problems of any sort.” He says it’s not a “one size fits all” approach and police wouldn’t expect children to walk across busy roads such as Pakuranga or Chapel roads. “But there’s no reason why most children can’t walk to school.” Police encourage parents to walk with their children or participate in a walking school bus. “Even if the parent absolutely has to drive the child to school, for whatever reasons, they don’t absolutely have to park outside the gate.” | |||||||||
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