School Warden Scheme

The role of a school Traffic Warden is to ensure that school children cross public roads on their way to/from school safely. In general, School Traffic Wardens only patrol areas where primary school (and not secondary school children) cross public roads. Together with the Gardai , School Traffic Wardens are the only officials in Ireland who have the authority to stop other vehicles on public roads.

The law governing the appointment of School Traffic Wardens is (Section 96) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. School Traffic Wardens usually work in the mornings, at lunchtime and in the evenings when children are most likely to cross the road to go to/from school.

School Traffic Wardens wear a distinctive uniform (high-vis hat & jacket). Wardens must also carry a distinctive sign (a white disc with a red border and the words "Stop" in the centre).

The School Traffic Warden has the power to exhibit the sign thereby requiring all traffic to stop and remain stopped to enable school children to cross the road in safety. Traffic must remain stopped as long as the Warden exhibits the sign.

There are at present 7 School Wardens in Portlaoise inc. There is one school warden in Mountmellick and one in Graiguecullen. All wardens are trained by the Gardai, with a refresher course at regular intervals.