Starting a new school year often means confronting lots of new situations: a new way to school, a new class and plenty more new things to take in besides. Thus it's especially important to ensure that the route to school is as safe as possible. Be it on foot, by bike or with the bus, those who are well prepared will arrive safely – ideally with our five practical tips for a safe journey to school and plenty of engaging links to related topics.
Tip 1: Practice the route together
You don't find a safe route to school on the first day. It's important to practice the journey with children prior to them starting back at school. It allows you to identify possible dangers in good time and can help impart the right behaviour to adopt. As soon as children feel safer, there's nothing wrong with showing them some extra trust and allowing them to go the journey alone or together with friends. In this way, they'll learn to become more independent and will gain some all-important self-confidence. Plus, everything's better when you do it with your friends. Walking the route as a group isn't just fun, it also makes it safer.
Tip 2: Being seen is being safe
Especially at dusk or night, visibility saves lives on the road. Light-coloured clothing and reflective elements on rucksacks or shoes ensure that kids can be seen in good time. Bikes should also be equipped with working lights too. But through their own behaviour, children can also make a valuable contribution towards being seen easily on the road: for example by only crossing the road where there is a good all-round view, and even better, at zebra crossings or traffic lights. After all, when visibility is restricted, it becomes so much more important for them to appropriately adapt their behaviour.
Tip 3: Traffic rules explained in a child-friendly manner
Traffic rules are not always easy to understand – especially not for children. That's why it's so important to explain them in a descriptive manner which is suited to their age. A good example of this can be found in our article entitled "Animals as role models when using the road": with a peacock who is very easy to see thanks to its colourful abundance of feathers or a turtle that is protected from danger thanks to its strong shell. Such pictures stick in a child's memory and help them to make their way safely through daily life. Even in the case of traffic lights, road signs and priority rules, a little creativity goes a long way in transferring knowledge and thus ensuring safety on our roads.
In order to make the school journey safer for everyone, we've prepared an online training course specifically on this topic. Children will thus learn everything there is to know about getting to school and back without any problems. This way to the training!
Tip 4: Safe and sound with the bus
Although buses are among the safest forms of transport, there are still some things to bear in mind. Even at the bus stop: keep a safe distance from the kerb – even if there's no bus in sight. When climbing aboard the bus, there's one essential rule: stay calm. First let others get off the bus. There's plenty of space for everyone on the school bus. And if not, there'll surely be another one shortly after. During the journey, holding tight is really important. Incidentally: wearing a seat belt isn't uncool. If there is one, it should be used. And when it comes to getting off the bus at the stop, there are also some things to learn: first, look out for cyclists and cars, and only then should you step out. Doing all of this will ensure your bus journey is safe and stress-free.
Tip 5: Distraction-free and aware
Be it music, games on a smartphone or friends on the other side of the road – distractions are all around us. But on the roads, your full attention is required. Anyone walking or riding a bike must not use headphones or earphones and should definitely leave their phone in their pocket. You can only react quickly if you keep your eyes and ears open. Attentiveness keeps you protected – plus it also keeps your head free for more important things: such as approaching buses, cyclists in the opposite direction or a nice chat on your way to school.
