The sate way to school

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33454, 8 February 1974, Page 5

The sate way to school

One of the very first things a young child , should learn when he is about to start school is the route he must take to and from school. To an adult this may seem a relatively simple matter, but to a" child it might be much more complicated. Therefore, it is a good idea to encourage your child to discuss with "you ■ the route he should take — have him visualise the path and the hazards then let him show them to you. If children can become involved in this way, they will be much " more interested in discovering the best route. Here are a few guidelines which should be used by both parents and children when making their decision. Children will not take roundabout routes unless there is some good reason which they understand. In many cases, there are several possible routes of equal distance between home and school. The problem is to select the one which is the safest, considering all factors. Select those routes which do not involve crossing the road many times. When it is necessary to cross the road, the distance front one side to the other must be considered. A child may find a long . crossing quite frightening and in some circumstances could panic if it has not been carefully explained to

him how he should cross this road. Complicated intersections should be avoided unless they are controlled by traffic officers or school patrols. If there are traffic lights, check that they do not have separate arrow indicators which might confuse a child. Traffic officers provide the best protection because they have complete authority over ail traffic. However, parents must remember that traffic officers may not always be on duty when children are travelling to and from school. The functions of school patrols are to instruct, direct and control children in crossing streets at or near schools. Routes should be selected to take full advantage of these patrols. Traffic lights afford an appreciable although not complete measure of protection to pedestrians. They should not be regarded as a guarantee of safety. Some traffic lights, particularly those with separate pedestrian “Cross” indicators, offer greater protection to the pedestrian. Special crossings are provided in some areas near school grounds. Motorists are warned of these crossings by special school crossing signs. These are often the best places to cross the road as motorists having been warned, should be more alert than usual to the possibility of children using the crossing.

While a “Stop” sign does not afford as much protection as traffic lights,

vehicles must slow down and come to a stop, even if only- momentarily. This obviously provides some measure of protection to pedestrians. Advantage should be taken of this in selecting routes. Consideration must be given to the number and types of pedestrian accidents that have occurred in your area. So far as possible, routes should be chosen to avoid crossing roads at places where pedestrians, especially children, have frequently been involved in accidents. Do not forget that you are much taller than your child, so it is important when planning the child’s route to look at things from a child’s eye level, as it is from this level that he must recognise a hazard and decide if it is safe to carry on. Once the best route has been found, do not just sit back happy in the knowledge that your child will always be using the safest route. Roads and conditions change. Periodically check the chosen route and the alternative ones to make sure that the reasons you used for your original choice still apply. Where previously there may have been a quiet safe road, there may now

be roadworks under way — such places with all the intriguing heavy machinery' that go with them can be extremely dangerous to young children. It is impossible to cite all the numerous factors which in specific instances may warrant major attention. Bus stops which obscure the view of traffic, blind comers, intersections where a nearby curve or sharp grade interferes with the pedestrians view of approaching traffic, congested streets, places where there are often a lot of vehicles parked near crossings . . . the list could go on and on.

If parents encourage their children to be aware of such dangers, then they will have gone a long way towards developing a degree of “road sense” that will be a potent force in getting them safely to and from school.