Safety a sticky business

Cooler versions of school patrol jackets are in the pipeline after concerns about the crossing uniform's all-weather practicality.

Manawatu principals complained that the all-season crossing jackets, issued nationwide earlier this year, were too hot in summer and lacked rain hoods.

Police confirmed they were looking at introducing summer patrol jackets and issuing rain hats.

Superintendent Bill Harrison, national manager of youth services, said safety was the top priority for students. The old jackets had exceeded their use-by date and were less visible than the new jackets, he said.

Previously, children wore high-visibility vests in summer and hooded jackets in winter. The new patrol uniform was made with top-quality, hi-tech materials, he said.

Mr Harrison said some schools were on 100 km/h roads, so visibility was essential. Police aimed to standardise crossing uniforms across New Zealand so traffic patrols were easily recognisable.

Mr Harrison is open to principals' ideas. "It was never intended to be: `This is what you're getting, so like it or lump it'."

However, headgear does have complications especially with more than 20,000 students to please. Some students may have cultural reasons for not wearing a hood, he said. Others may be concerned with sharing hats, potentially spreading head lice.

Police will explore those options before finalising additions to the school patrol uniform.

Hokowhitu School principal Allan Alach said the colour was a great safety idea, but a summer version was needed.

Central Normal School principal Shona Oliver worried rain would run down the back of children's necks.

- © Fairfax NZ News