With Weyburn students returning back to classes today, drivers are being reminded to pay attention and slow down in school zones. Safety Patrollers will also be out serving their fellow schoolmates.

In Saskatchewan, 4600 students involved in the CAA School Safety Patrol program.

“They do it voluntarily with their school administrator and with their local police department, and with CAA,” said Christine Niemczyk, Public Relations Director.

“It’s to help kids in their school learn the safety rules for pedestrian and traffic safety,” she explained. “Patrollers are on duty, so we remind motorists to observe the patrollers when they’re on duty and follow their directions.”

The safety patrol program isn't just helping in the streets. The safety patrol program helps kids learn pedestrian safety, but it also helps to instill in them a variety of valuable leadership skills.

“We’ve heard from our patrollers that they’ve really gained a lot through the program they’ve learned about time management, they’ve learned about communication skills, they’ve honed their leadership skills, so they’re really noticing that getting involved in that program is doing some personal growth opportunities for them as well,” said Niemczyk.

She explained how CAA sponsors the program.

“All the training materials, the patroller handbook, the vest, the stop paddle, all of that, we give to the schools to help the program,” she said. “It’s done in tandem with a school administrator, someone to train them and talk with the patrollers and give them the materials.”

Safety Patrollers help to ensure drivers can see the students, while setting an example and raising awareness for younger students about traffic rules.