You are about to enter another world.
It’s a place where everything seems the same and yet it’s somehow very very different.
In the interests of road safety and education, for the sake of the ones you hold most dear,
take a moment to enter the parallel universe where children actually live.
It may just help to save their lives.
That sounds a bit serious.
Welcome to A Child’s World of Traffic where the greatest risk of death or injury comes
from road crashes.
The first thing to remember is that we don’t always see things over at the edges of the
picture.
We haven’t learned to use our peripheral vision properly yet.
You see the whole picture.
We often miss out a lot of stuff plus grown-ups always think we can do more than we really
can.
And the average attention span in your child’s world is well…very short.
Kids don’t know what traffic sounds to listen for or where they are coming from.
Their ability to judge speed and distances usually needs a lot of work.
In fact it will be some years before your child develops a reliable set of senses and
judgement skills.
When you live in A Child’s World of Traffic you learn most quickly by copying big people.
Parents and carers really do need to show kids the right things to do in every traffic
situation.
And when it comes to traffic safety, the single most important thing you can show your child
is
STOP.
LOOK.
LISTEN and
THINK before crossing a road, hurrying to catch the bus, crossing the road after leaving
the car or pushing off on the bicycle.
Anytime you’re out and about is a great time to re-enforce this vital message.
“So first we have to choose a good place to cross the road.
Can you see one around here?
“Yep, this is great.
Because you get a really good view of the road from reveal birds eye view here.”
“and you can see clearly where any cars or things are coming from.”
Any time that you’re out and about is a great time to reinforce this vital message….STOP,
LOOK, LISTEN, and THINK.
And repetition is a vital part of that reinforcement.
“First we find a good place to cross.
Can you see one around here?
“That’s right, this is great because you’ve got a really good view of the road and it’s
a crossing, so the traffic should stop.
So, first, press the button.
Then we’ve stopped – one step back conduct from the road.
Then we LOOK in all directions Then we LISTEN for any traffic
And we THINK about whether it’s safe to cross.
The cars have stopped and we’re OK to walk across.
“Ready to go to school?
OK, off we go then”
Walking your children and others to school will give you lots of opportunities to practice
good pedestrian safety.
“Let’s look to the left…..then right round behind us…..OK we’re looking for
traffic in all directions?
OK now we’re coming up to the Railway Crossing, so let’s Stop.
We Look – where are we looking?
All around….for trains.
Is it safe to cross?
“Yes”
“Off we go then” OK, in you go….see you later…..Bye!
In Child’s World of Traffic a ride in a car is a very big deal indeed.
For safety’s sake, children should only ever sit in the back seat and as long as they
see you buckle up that seat belt every time – they will want to do it too.
Whatever their size, children should only ever enter or leave the car by one door.
We call it the safety door for obvious reasons.
The more you share good road safety habits with your child.
The safer everyone will be.
“Dad ! Don’t answer that – It’s not safe”
Dad - Isn’t this a 50 zone?”
Your child sees and copies everything you do.
So it’s well worth doing the right things.
Waiting for the bus is not the most interesting activity in the world.
Getting on board
Finding a seat
Travelling,
Getting off and particularly crossing the road - they are more demanding activities
and every one of them can be dangerous – especially crossing the road.
That’s why it’s essential to park on the same side as the bus stop when dropping kids
off and again at pick-up.
When children are on a bus mum and dad aren’t usually around
An older travel buddy can be a good idea, and it’s important to have a plan for things
like if the bus is late, if you are late or if your child misses the bus.
Here’s a quick bus safety check list you can share with your child.
No fooling around at the bus stop.
Your parents should be waiting at pick up and drop off times – so they will know if
you do.
Wait for the bus to stop before correct stepping forward.
Wait for people to get off before you get on.
Watch your step.
Hold the handrail.
If there’s a seat – use it.
Put your bag on your lap or under the seat.
Keep clear of the doors.
Wait for the bus to stop before you get off.
and most important of all, wait until the bus has driven away before you,
STOP LOOK
LISTEN And THINK if you have to cross the road.
Of course if mum or dad is meeting the bus you won’t have to cross the road because
they always, ALWAYS park on the same side as the bus.
In the Child’s World of Traffic, Riding a bicycle is exhilarating, liberating and
occasionally, (Crash scene) Excruciating!
Fortunately, most of the inevitable crashes experienced by new bicycle riders
will result in little more than hurt pride if parents have some simple rules, insist
on safety gear and use plenty of common sense.
Always wear a correctly fitted helmet.
Always ride a bike that’s the right size.
Keep well clear of roads and traffic.
It takes lots of supervised practice before children have the knowledge and skills to
be able to ride safely on roads so don’t even think about letting them ride on roads
until they are around the age of 12 and always, always, supervise your children.
Stop Look
Listen and Think is important on bicycles too.
Parents chat about the importance of watching for “signs of movement”
And around driveways and lanes
And on footpaths it’s important to watch and listen (car engine) for signs of obstacles.
A lot of the survival skills required for people in the Child’s World of Traffic will
seem to you like simple and straightforward common sense – but it’s all new to a child.
And it’s important to remember that children’s development takes time and they need lots
of positive role models and supervised practise.
And to stay safe in the Child’s World Of Traffic you need a loving parent or carer
with small reminders over, and over, and over again.
Children learn more about traffic safety from the important adults in their lives than from
anyone else.
They do what you do!