- Drive Safe-Tips/Guides-Safety
Road safety is a serious matter, but learning about it can also be made to be fun. Teachers can use all kinds of techniques to help children understand why it's important to use seat belts and helmets, and what they should do if they're in an accident.
Teaching children about road safety is a vital part of their education. However, when it comes to reinforcing the lessons they learn at school, the role parents play in this is just as important as teachers. We've all heard the saying "actions speak louder than words," and this applies to road safety too—adults should be modelling good behaviour themselves and making sure that children see them practising what they preach.
Why children are more vulnerable on the road
Statistics show that children are very vulnerable on the road. Along with adults 65 and older, the highest percentage of pedestrian fatalities are children under 10 years of age, who also have the highest percentage of pedestrian casualties.
The ability of children to judge speed and distance is less well developed than that of adults. Research shows that primary school children cannot accurately judge the speed of approaching vehicles travelling faster than 32 km per hour (20mph). This can lead them to misjudge how much time they have before a vehicle comes into contact with them. They will also struggle to judge when another vehicle is too close behind them, which may cause them to stop suddenly or change direction without warning.
Therefore, it makes sense that we as teachers and parents explain them to children in detail so that they can walk or play more safely outside. Helping children get the right attitude about road safety is an important responsibility of every school, but it's also something that parents and carers can take part in too.
Make road safety education engaging
Road safety is a very important subject to learn, but it can be difficult to teach in schools. Children need to be taught that they are responsible for their own safety and should always take care before crossing roads or riding bicycles on pavements. To make it fun and engaging, you can:
- Start with a story
- Use real-life examples
- Use games and activities
- Use a mixture of teaching techniques
Road safety can be taught in a variety of ways such as using music, quizzes, stories and videos. For example, instead of just reading something from an educational booklet or looking at pictures, videos can help hit the message home more effectively.
Receiving road safety education as part of the normal school curriculum is recognised as being one of the most effective ways of providing youngsters with road safety knowledge.
According to ArriveAlive, "Road safety education develops knowledge, skills, attitudes and even more importantly: values that enable pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, drivers and passengers to use the road safely."
Conclusion
While road safety education is and should be an important subject taught at schools, teaching children how to stay safe on the road is our responsibility as adults. Parents should be setting a good example by giving their children a clear message at home – avoiding any distractions – especially mobile phones while driving, and staying sober whenever getting behind the wheel.
It is also important to teach children how to behave in the car so they know what is expected of them, such as wearing seatbelts and not to become a distraction while on the move.
Read next:
7 Golden Rules for Child Car Seat Safety
Child Road Safety Grows from Knowledge
Traffic Signs and Rules for Safety on the Road
Pedestrian Rules and Safety Tips for Runners and Walkers
Disclaimer: This information is for educational, or entertainment purposes only. It must not be construed as advice, legal, financial, or otherwise. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information.
