Learners taking up the call to be part of a scholar patrol team might not be old enough to be traffic officers, but they are just as committed to road safety, particularly child pedestrian road safety.
Their responsibility is a big one. They need the cooperation of other road users to help ensure the safety of the learners they serve.
Be patient, obey the rules of the road, and be extra cautious around scholar patrols.
Partnering for scholar patrol road safety
The Western Cape Mobility Department partners with local authorities' traffic departments to train scholar patrols in line with the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) national scholar patrol project.
The RTMC supports provinces with equipment and uniforms if there is a shortage. They also visit these schools to check that the scholar patrols operate according to the prescripts and that the necessary documents are on file at schools.
- Find your local traffic authority
Teaching road safety
The Department recognises that scholar patrols are a vital part of road safety education and a critical enhancement of learner safety. Scholar patrol officers regulate traffic, slow down vehicles and facilitate safe crossing. In addition, they instil an awareness among young pedestrians of the importance of road safety.
How It Works
Four scholar patrol officers use stop signs to control the flow of traffic at a pedestrian crossing. The patrol captain uses a whistle to direct the opening and closing of the crossing. All members wear bright safety bibs over their uniforms, as well as caps donated by the Road Safety Management component of the Department. They are always supervised by one or two teachers. In addition, they have to attend regular meetings to discuss any problems. They are expected to report for duty on time wearing the proper attire.
Our scholar patrol engagements include training, auditing and needs assessments at various schools. Some schools assisted include:
- Hermanus Primary
- Hawston Primary
- Luhkanyo Primary
- Erika Primary
- Great Brak Primary
- Isalatisho Primary
- Ridgeview Primary
Read more about our scholar patrol interventions:
- Scholar Patrol Training for 27 West Coast Schools
- Darling school teacher recognised for scholar patrol service
How to get a scholar patrol at your school
- The school can express concerns about learner road safety to the Department or to the local traffic department.
- Our road safety officers visit the school to assess whether a scholar patrol is the best intervention in the circumstances or whether another intervention would be safer, e.g. placing a traffic warden on duty or installing a traffic light.
- If your school qualifies, you must register with the Department or the relevant traffic authority. We will then add you to our database which currently contains 350 schools.
- We train and provide the team with uniforms and equipment.
- We continue to monitor the scholar patrols through school visits.
Read more about scholar patrol registration, prescripts and procedures on Arrive Alive’s website.
Watch: Let's teach our children about road safety
Contact details for more information:
Jennifer Solomons
Tel: 021 483 6975
Email: jennifer.solomons@westerncape.gov.za