More than 20,000 Kiwi school kids are helping to make New Zealand’s roads safer during the busiest period of traffic congestion in the country with student-led crossing patrols.
The term coined ‘March Madness’ relates to the time of year when the majority of people have returned to work, alongside schools and universities, creating gridlock on roads across Auckland during peak hours.
Student-led crossing patrols were first introduced in the 1930s to help kids safely cross the road using mobile stop signs, following increasing concern of accidents involving child pedestrians.
Today, more than 20,000 students each year volunteer to take part in school traffic safety patrols at over 1200 crossings throughout New Zealand.
The patrols run through wind, rain or shine, and the AA supplies official crossing patroller high vis vests and raincoats for kids to carry out their duties.
“It’s outstanding to see kids stepping up for their friends and community and instilling good road safety habits from such a young age,” said AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen.
“If not for these kids, the chances of people getting hurt would be so much greater.”
The AA’s 2025 local transport survey revealed one in three AA Members are walking more as a form of transportation, as well as cycling which has seen a 43% jump among cyclists.
