The AA and Road Safety Week

The AA is committed to safer roads for all New Zealanders. Road Safety Week (RSW) is coordinated annually by the road safety charity Brake. It provides a national moment to amplify lifesaving road safety messages, celebrate road safety champions, and encourage practical actions people can take during the week and beyond. The AA is one of many supporting organisations, schools and community groups, and in 2026 has sponsored the Road Patrol Superhero Day. 

Road Safety Week is taking place from 4-10 May in 2026, including the annual school pedestrian Superhero Day - which the AA is proudly sponsoring in 2026.

Superhero Day encourages Kiwi kids volunteering for their school crossing patrols to dress up in superhero costumes for their morning and afternoon patrols during Road Safety Week, highlighting the essential role they play in keeping students and communities safe. 

The patrols operate the big orange lollipop signs outside schools before and after classes to allow kids and families to safely cross while vehicles give way. The AA is a big supporter of these crossing patrols around New Zealand, with the AA behind their establishment in New Zealand from the late 1920s. Today the AA supplies patrollers with high vis vests and raincoats.

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. School patrols are one effective way to teach young children how to safely cross roads. We want to see no children harmed on their journey to or from school.

Launched in 2022, the Road Safety Hero Awards celebrate individuals and groups across Aotearoa New Zealand who go above and beyond to make our roads safer. Nominations are invited from communities nationwide each year, with awards presented at the national Road Safety Week launch in May.

In 2026, the awards will recognise heroes across three categories: Youth Road Safety Hero (under 25), Community Road Safety Hero, and Professional Road Safety Hero, acknowledging positive change, community impact, and leadership in road safety.

Everyone has a role in safely sharing roads

Awareness of other road users is becoming more important as city populations grow and people choose to walk, cycle and use e-scooters more. It just requires good awareness and patience for others.

For drivers:

• Slow down and leave plenty of room when you’re passing vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

For pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter users and horse riders

• Wear a helmet, high visibility clothing and use lights at dusk or dark