Stay Safe Rangers

Senior primary school students helping to improve road safety at Balgowlah Heights Public School, Sydney, Australia

 
 

Balgowlah Heights Public School is located in the northern beaches area of Sydney, Australia. The primary school has about 700 students and is in northern Sydney, Australia. The program was initiated in 2007 due to concern over the significant risk of accidents when children were being picked up by car after school. The road was regularly gridlocked, preventing smooth traffic flow, including the school bus.

"Kiss and Drop" zones are parking areas near the school gates that have a maximum two minute parking. The intention is that drivers do not park in these zones and that they stay in the vehicle so that traffic is streamlined and queues are minimised. In reality it only takes a few inconsiderate drivers to overstay in these zones and the system breaks down leading to frustration and traffic delays.

Kiss and Drop zones work very well in the mornings. The arrival time of vehicles is staggered, children usually exit the vehicle quickly and move into the school grounds and the driver is then able to move off. There are rarely traffic queues and children do not usually wait at the footpath.

In the afternoon the situation at most Australian schools is quite different. Nearly all children arrive at the Kiss and Drop zone at the same time, as do vehicles and the streets are blocked with traffic. The footpath area is a mix of children waiting for vehicles to arrive, parents who are waiting to pick up children and walk to home or car and children hanging around in social groups. There is general confusion and many distractions for the children and the drivers.

To address these issues a group of Year 5 students (~10 years old), known as Stay Safe Rangers (SSR) was created. They observe the operation of the Kiss and Drop Zone in the afternoon, identify potential road safety situations and discuss possible solutions in SSR forums. They do not record vehicle or student details.

 
Latest News
In November Balgowlah Heights Public School holds its annual awards ceremony for its Stay Safe Rangers program. Special guests have included the local Mayor and the Assistant Commissioner of Police.
About the Stay Safe Rangers Program