Get ready to take charge

HEY kids you’re in charge of getting your parents and carers to school!
This year the police want you to take control and make sure your family gets to and from school safely.
Make sure your family is ready in plenty of time, so there’s no need to rush.
Are you ready to go to school? Here’s what to do:
BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS
POLICE officer Senior Constable Wendy Tamblyn says it’s a good idea to visit your school with your parents before the school year even starts.
Take a drive or a walk around your school and find the school drop-off points where your Mum, Dad or carer can drop you off in the morning and pick you up after school. Find out where the school crossings are.
If you ride a bike to school it’s a good idea to take your parents for a ride to find the safest route to and from your school, where the bike racks are and where you can safely leave your bike and helmet. (Local police will engrave or microdot your bicycle to deter thieves if you want.)
ON THE WAY
Firstly, make sure you, your driver and anyone else is sitting in the car with seat belts on before you start the journey. Maybe you could appoint your brother or sister the Seat Belt Officer to make sure everyone is buckled up every time.
Secondly, make sure the driver’s mobile is on silent and out of reach. Distractions cause crashes!
Thirdly, make sure your parents or carers know where the school drop-off zone is, and what the school zone speed limit is (a clue: it’s usually 40 kilometres per hour.)
Fourthly, tell the driver to drop you off on the same side of the street as the school so you don’t have to cross roads.
Fifthly, learn where the school crossing is for when you might need it.
ON THE CROSSING
Make sure you do what the traffic controllers (“lollipop ladies or lollipop men”) tell you to do.
Remember when crossing a road to still look both left and right, and left again. Make sure you’re not listening to music. Take those earplugs out so you can hear if traffic is coming.
Only cross when no vehicles are coming.
ON YOUR BIKE
If you ride to school, there are some special things to remember.
1 Wear your helmet and make sure the chin strap is done up.
2 Make sure you know the way to school and home again.
3 Make sure you have a safe bicycle, and that the brakes work.
4 Be alert, there might be traffic coming from in front or behind you.
5 Don’t ride and listen to music or use a mobile phone. (Did you know that using a mobile phone while riding a bike is treated the same as using one while driving? It’s a serious offence and could cost you a $330 fine – that’s a lot of pocket money.)
ADOPT-A-COP
When you’re at school find out who your school’s Adopt-A-Cop is. Tell your parents the school has an Adopt-A-Cop and their name.
One day soon your school’s Adopt-A-Cop will give you lessons in road safety and personal safety. Make sure you ask plenty of questions.
COUNT A COP
See how many police officers you can spot near your school. There’ll be lots of them around for the start of the school year, making sure nobody speeds, that school crossing rules are obeyed and drop-off zones are used correctly.