The concerns had been raised by some school-bus drivers in urban and rural areas of Dunedin about the speed at which motorists were passing when children were being picked up or dropped off, emergency response group manager Inspector Alastair Dickie said.
One concerned bus driver, Graeme Wilson, who has driven a school bus between Outram School and Momona for the past 18 months, said the problem seemed to be getting worse.
He estimated other drivers would regularly pass his stationary bus at speeds of up to 80kmh. The problem was particularly bad on the open country roads leading to Dunedin International Airport.
"They just roar past; big trucks, everything. You don't even have time to get their plates."
Insp Dickie said specific figures were not available for Dunedin or nationally, but several children in recent years had been killed after walking out from the front of the bus into the path of traffic.
"Many motorists are not making any attempt to slow down from the normal posted speed limit."
Sticking to the speed requirements dramatically improved a driver's chances of avoiding a collision with a child, he said.
He warned serious driving charges could result from drivers' failing to stick to the rules, as police serious-crash investigators had the ability to determine the speed at which a vehicle was travelling before any collision.
He urged motorists to drive carefully and slowly around school buses.
"None of us would like the tragedy that occurs if a child is killed or injured, or to have played a part in such an incident."
Dunedin and Mosgiel police were aware of the issue and would be closely watching driver behaviour around school bus drop-off and pick-up points, Insp Dickie said.
• THE LAW
Motorists must reduce their speed to 20kmh when passing a bus that is displaying a "school bus" sign and is stopped on the side of the road to set down and pick up children.
