Waiting until a gap appears in the busy morning traffic, they bolt across the road.
Mrs Williams said ''near misses'' on a ''daily basis'' had triggered her and other parents to ask the Vincent Community Board to do something about it.
Mrs Williams and Dora Bartle, whose children attend The Terrace School, met with the board on Tuesday to rally for a ''safe crossing'' on
State Highway 8 near Molyneux Park and Gregg St.
In a 10-minute presentation to board members, they expressed concerns about vehicle speed and volumes of traffic, and the lack of signs indicating to motorists that children crossed there.
Motorists who did stop for children were also not setting a good example, because it gave children the idea it was a safe crossing when it was not.
The closest pedestrian crossing was a kilometre away.
The crossing was also used by people who wanted to get to the BMX track, the pool and ice rink but there was ''nothing safe to get these kids across to the amenities''.
Support for the proposed crossing had come from throughout the community, including schools, kindergartens and businesses.
The women were congratulated on their presentation by board member Barry Hambleton, who said the ''most important thing is the safety of children''.
''We should be supporting this wholeheartedly,'' he said.
Brian Fitzgerald also congratulated them and said he had worked in the area for the past three years and understood their concerns ''exactly''.
The board gave Mrs Williams and Mrs Bartle their support and will write a letter to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to assist their efforts.
Central Otago District Council infrastructure services manager Jon Kingsford said the transport agency was conducting surveys that looked at traffic and pedestrian volumes, and considering long-term and immediate solutions while it was investigating.
Council roading manager Julie Muir said there were ''island protrusions'' at the crossing point and the transport agency did have a proposal for a new crossing in the works.
NZTA Otago senior network manager John Jarvis said the agency was investigating the feasibility and costs associated with altering the crossing point to make it a ''formal pedestrian zebra crossing''.
''This work will include speed and traffic surveys to ensure it is a suitable and safe site, given its proximity to the crest of the hill and adjacent intersections.''
The proposed crossing would cost $50,000 and would include a central island pedestrian refuge and modifications to kerbs, signs, markings and lighting.
''Provided construction funding is approved, our aim to is try and bring the project forward as soon as possible, hopefully in the 2015-16 financial year.''
