In the late 1920's automobile clubs in the USA conceived the first School Patrols when accidents involving children on the way to and from school were increasing to epidemic proportions. Wakari School in Dunedin had the first patrol in New Zealand when Mr Passmore of the Otago Motor Club (now the Otago AA) suggested an elementary type of patrol. The first officially recognised patrols were at Linwood North School, Christchurch, and Invercargill Middle School in 1931. The first patrol in the North Island began at Papakura School, Auckland, in October 1934.

These patrols, which had no control over traffic, were supplied with a red pendant, about 80 cm long, mounted on short staff. As the number of patrols grew, the need for a national legislation for patrols. Changes were made as the volume of traffic increased. In 1962 uniforms were standardised and warning devices for the patrols were updated. More regulations were created to cover parking so that patrols had good visibility on both sides of the crossing.

The numbers of pedestrians controlled by School Patrols are quite amazing. There are around 700 School Patrols operating nationally, providing a service to over 70,000 children daily. School patrols control around 28,000,000 pedestrian movements and 60,000,000 vehicle movements each year.

In 1931 a bold step was taken to introduce a school patrol system when pupils took responsibility for their own safety. Since that time the crossing and warden systems have set an extremely high safety standard. Today's heavy traffic and increased vehicle speeds impose new challenges on crossing systems.

School Traffic Safety Teams

School Traffic Safety Teams operate as three different systems:

School Patrols

Provide pedestrian control at specified pedestrian crossings using signs to stop traffic while children cross. Children under adult supervision normally operate school patrols. The School patrol is the only system that operates under legislation, and the only system that is empowered to stop vehicles.

Traffic Wardens

Provide pedestrian control at specified crossing points, which can be pedestrian crossings, traffic light controlled crossings or completely unmarked crossing points. Traffic Wardens have no control over vehicular traffic, other than by operating pedestrian traffic lights.

Bus Wardens

Provide supervision of children travelling to and from school by either Ministry of Education contracted or school administered bus services. The bus wardens supervise the movement of children to and from the bus, and their behaviour on the bus. Bus Wardens are usually selected from senior pupils who have the furtherest to travel.