DLR Launches School Warden Safety Campaign

“Stop Means Stop – Respect the Warden” campaign calls on drivers to protect children and school wardens

Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council has today launched a new road safety awareness campaign aimed at improving driver behaviour at school warden crossings and reinforcing the legal requirement to stop when instructed by a school warden.

The “Stop Means Stop – Respect the Warden” campaign highlights the essential role school wardens play in helping children and other pedestrians cross a road safely during busy school arrival and departure times. The campaign will run across the County over the coming weeks, combining on‑street visibility, media engagement, and digital messaging.

School wardens are legally authorised under the Road Traffic Acts to stop traffic using their official STOP sign. However, the Council continues to receive reports of motorists failing to stop, travelling at inappropriate speeds, and behaving irresponsibly in the vicinity of school crossings.

Cllr John Kennedy, Chair of the Road Safety Working Together Group said:

“School wardens provide a vital service to our communities every day by helping children cross busy roads safely on their way to and from school. Their role is essential, and they deserve the full respect and cooperation of every road user.

 Gerry Flaherty, Road Safety Officer with Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, added:

“While most drivers do stop for school warden, failures to stop at school warden crossings continue to put children and wardens at risk. It only takes one moment of inattention or impatience for a serious incident to occur.

 This campaign sends a very clear message — stop means stop. It is a legal requirement, not an option. By slowing down, stopping when instructed and respecting school wardens, drivers can play their part in protecting children and making our streets safer for everyone.”

School warden crossings operate at 75 locations throughout Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, particularly on busy roads near schools. These locations experience high traffic volumes at peak school times, making driver behaviour and compliance critical to safety.

Motorists are reminded that:

• Drivers must stop when a school warden displays the STOP sign
• Parking or stopping near crossings can block visibility and increase risk
• Reduced speeds near schools significantly lower the risk and severity of injuries

 This campaign is about reminding drivers of their responsibility to slow down near schools, obey the school warden’s instructions and show respect to people who are working to keep children safe. School wardens protect all pedestrians, and their authority must always be recognised.

The initiative supports the Council’s wider road safety and active travel objectives, encouraging safer environments around schools and greater confidence for children walking or cycling.

Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council remains committed to improving safety around schools through a combination of education, awareness, partnership with An Garda Síochána, and targeted engineering and traffic management measures.