More than 600 children from 28 schools took to the streets of central Tauranga today to celebrate their efforts to keep their peers safe on the road this year.

The parade was led by local councillors Margaret Murray-Benge and Bill Grainger, Tauranga MP Simon Bridges and Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless.

Each school carried a banner identifying a road safety issue or an active transport promotion in their community.

The banners were judged and winners announced at the end of the parade. Gate Pa School won the primary banner competition with ‘Drive Wise, Nobody Dies' and Pyes Pa School won the intermediate section with ‘Not everyone is Superman. Kill your speed, not others'.

Selwyn Ridge Primary School, Katikati Primary School, Welcome Bay School and Arataki School were all highly commended.

From left, local councillors Margaret Murray-Benge and Bill Grainger, Tauranga MP Simon Bridges and Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless led the Orange Day Parade through the streets of central Tauranga.

Travel Safe and New Zealand Police work alongside schools in promoting road safety and activities such as road patrols, bus monitors, traffic wardens and Travel Safe students.

Police area commander, Inspector Clifford Paxton, opened the parade and says Orange Day is a wonderful opportunity for police, partners and the community to recognise the efforts of these students in keeping themselves and their fellow students safe.

'Their efforts in promoting and assisting with road safety makes a real and substantial difference to their school communities.”

Western Bay of Plenty district councillor and chair of the region's Joint Road Safety Committee Margaret Murray-Benge says judging the banner competition was very difficult because they were all 'beautiful”.

The children will spend the rest of the day at Baywave as a thank you for their efforts.