Kiwi kids suiting up for safer roads
6 May 2026
The Automobile Association is getting behind the Kiwi kids across Aotearoa donning their superhero capes and masks today as they assemble for their school crossing patrol duties.
Road Patrol Superhero Day is marked during New Zealand’s Road Safety Week, an annual initiative led by the charity Brake, recognising people in our communities who encourage and actively contribute towards road safety.
Themed as ‘Be a road safety hero’ it was only fitting the crossing patrols dress appropriately for the job.
AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said creating fun opportunities helps kids engage on the topic of road safety, something that is crucial to learn from a young age.
“As soon as they can walk, kids need to be learning the risks of the road. Building habits, like using pedestrian crossings, as well as holding Mum or Dad’s hand when crossing the road are simple and useful skills to encourage.
“That’s why it’s so great to see these kids stepping up and volunteering to support their friends and community as crossing patrollers. If not for these kids, the chances of people getting hurt would be so much greater.”
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.
Almost 100 years later, the need for crossing patrols remains. In early 2026, five Kiwi kids were hit by vehicles within weeks of the school term starting. On a single morning in February, there were two separate incidents of students being hit by cars.
No one wants to see their child injured while walking to or from school.
“Drop off and pick up times bring a huge number of cars, buses, bikes, scooters, and pedestrians to the roads near schools making it very hazardous. Parked cars create additional blind spots making it even harder to see small kids,” says Dylan.
“It takes a team effort to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Over 150 schools are taking part in the 2026 Superhero Day, lighting up crossings with their colourful costumes accompanying their official uniform.
NZ Director at Brake, Caroline Perry says, students on road patrol have an important role in helping their peers get to and from school safely.
“They are some of the Road Safety Heroes we're celebrating during Road Safety Week and we're delighted to have the AA as the sponsor of Road Patrol Superhero Day, to help recognise and thank road patrol students for the work they do every school day to help keep everyone safe."
Wearing a high vis uniform is essential for young patrollers to be easily seen and identified. It also gives them the confidence to manage crossings.
“What adults might not realise is these kids have the legal authority to stop the traffic with their crossing signs,” says Dylan.
The patrols run through wind, rain or shine, and the AA provides raincoats and vests for patrollers and their supervisors.
“The AA is proud to back our youngest road safety heroes” says Dylan.
“Though they helped us out today, superheroes have a universe to patrol, so it’s in the hands of us ordinary people to ensure we all slow down near schools, be on high alert for hazards, and prepare to stop at crossings.