Police are calling for patience and consideration to ensure that no school children become victims on roads.

The new school year gets under way on February 1, and children are particularly vulnerable as they travel to and from school on foot, and on bikes and scooters.

Police say many may be starting a new school for the first time and children are easily distracted by friends and surroundings.

Acting Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Kris Burbery says over the next couple of weeks police presence will be increased around school areas, both rural and urban.

'We will certainly be profiling these areas over the next couple of weeks. We will be encouraging people to get on well and have our presence there to eliminate the risk of injuring a child.”

He says while the speed limit around schools is 20km/hr, he wishes to remind motorists this is a 'limit not a target” and would advise drivers to 'travel well under the speed limit in certain areas and situations.”

'Road safety and the protection of our children is everyone's responsibility and it is important that motorists are alert, careful, considerate and patient."

Kris says parents should take an active role in ensuring their children are safe. He recommends talking about road safety with their children before hand and even practicing the route to school before the big day.

'Anyone around schools needs to think about young people and ho small they are and just take care.”

Parents driving children to school should make sure they are parking 'legally and correctly, not the most convenient place” and ensure children are properly restrained in vehicles until the car is completely stopped.