Parents are being urged to talk to their children about being safe on the roads.

This message comes as many people are comng back from holidays to return to work and school this week.

"Parents and drivers play an important role in keeping children safe from harm as they cycle, walk, bus, and scooter their way back to school," says a post on the Bay of Plenty & Taupo Police Facebook page.

"As people are coming back from holidays to return to work, parents also need to prepare their children to start or go back to school.

"Police is encouraging parents to talk to their children about being safe around roads, and to remember to be safe themselves when they’re on the road."

Police warn that young children can be excitable and can be distracted when they’re heading to and from school.

"That means they may forget to check before passing driveways, or miss hazards on the roads.

"As teenagers they may be more prone to having their heads down in a phone, wearing earphones, and potentially not paying attention when they should be, such as when crossing a road.

"If your child will be going to school on their own for the first time, show them the safest route to get to school and back home and practice with them, including the safest places to cross.

"If you’re wearing earphones, take them out or mute them for a minute and if you’re talking on the phone pause the conversation so that you can cross safely."

Police also remind drivers about how to behave near schools and around school buses.

"Drivers need to watch your speed around schools and be extra alert in case a child runs out in front of you without warning. Sometimes children can’t be seen if they are behind cars so look under cars for the possibility of feet.

"Stay below the 30km/h speed limit for passing schools and below 20km/h speed limit when passing school buses.

"Even small increases in speed result in a much greater increase in your stopping distance, and that can mean the difference between life and death for our children."

You can find more road safety advice for families on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website - https://education.nzta.govt.nz/.../road-safety-advice.../