Road safety education, advice for primary school children
The highest rate of accidents as pedestrians in urban areas is suffered by children between five and fourteen years old. Behind these traffic accidents, there is little information on road education received on the movement of vehicles and people on roads and sidewalks, as well as their behavior inside the car.
Habits and road attitudes of children
Taking advantage of the potential of the child regarding their motor coordination and the precise observation of what is happening around them, many Traffic Playgrounds throughout Spain are carrying out programs to raise the awareness of the child in road education, that is, in habits and road attitudes. Also, the Spanish Educational System obliges schools, to educate children in these habits and behaviors through road education.
What should Primary Education children know about Road Safety Education?
Road education for pedestrians.
As pedestrians they should:
1. Know the street and how to get around it, day, night and adverse weather conditions.
2. Know how to cross in a correct and prudent way, knowing the safe places, maintaining attitudes of respect and prudence to traffic signals.
3. Use recreational vehicles respectfully: skates, scooters, etc.
4. Play on the intended sites to the game.
5. Study the home-school itinerary, to use it safely and prudently. And at least until 8 years old, be accompanied.
Road education for travelers.
As travelers, they should:
1. Know the appropriate and responsible behavior on the school or public bus, maintaining a respectful attitude toward others and the vehicle.
2. Know and maintain proper behavior in the private car, always traveling behind and using the seatbelt.
3. Know the different methods of transport and the different types of roads that exist.
Road education for bicycle drivers.
As bicycle drivers children must:
1. Start driving the bicycle in closed and safe places, to then transfer knowledge and behavior habits to public roads, preferably accompanied.
2. Know the importance of Traffic Rules and Traffic Signs, vertical, luminous, road markings and of the Agent, to fulfill them and to respect them. (Signs of danger, priority, prohibition, obligation).
3. Know and comply with the signage What bicycle drivers should do
4. Maintain prudence andn the use of public roads.
5. Know and differentiate between the different types of ways (urban, interurban, crossings), the parts of these (road, sidewalk, shoulder, curb, lane, etc.).
6. Know rules and guidelines for care and maintenance of the bicycle.
7. Know the incidence of meteorological factors in driving bicycles.
8. Learn to identify risk groups, analyzing where and when accidents occur.
9. Introduction to the basic knowledge of First Aid.
Road safety standards that children should remember
- The roadway is for vehicles, and the sidewalks, shoulders and pedestrian zones, for pedestrians. This will prevent traffic accidents
- Always walk through pedestrian areas. When they do not exist, make it as close as possible to the edge of the houses and, if possible, to the left.
- Pay attention to the exits and entrances of workshops and garages.
- Help who needs it.
- Do not stop unnecessarily, Do not play on the sidewalks in a way that prevents others from passing.
- Do not do racing nor other games on the sidewalks that may annoy others.
- Do not walk on the curb nor invading the road.
- Do not take your pet loose, they can run over it, cause an accident or disturb others.
Alejandra Márquez
