Guidance: Engage in learning activities with school-aged youth
The state traffic safety association of NRW is set to kick-off its safety campaign for the start of the new school year on Wednesday, 27th August, at the Geschwister-Scholl-Grundschule in Neuss. Minister of Education Dorothee Feller (CDU) is expected to attend the event.
As children perceive traffic differently than adults, it's crucial for parents to be mindful of their children's safety. Children cannot yet estimate distances and speeds and are more easily distracted, emphasized the spokeswoman for the state traffic safety council.
To ensure a safe school commute, parents are advised to avoid taking their children to school by car if possible. This encourages children to learn to move independently and safely in road traffic. If they must travel by car, choosing a route with as few dangerous points as possible is recommended, even if it means a slight detour.
For bus and train trips, it's essential to follow structured and clear rules for safe behavior in traffic. Children should be taught the most important rules for safe behavior in road traffic in a child-friendly way. For example, video series like those by the Bonn Police with "Charly the Bear" help children learn about crossing streets safely, recognizing traffic lights, and behaving responsibly near roads.
Supervision and accompaniment are vital for younger children. Parents or guardians should accompany them when taking buses or trains until they get familiar with the route and behavior required. Knowing where to wait and board safely is important.
Awareness of transport rules is also crucial. Familiarity with bus and train safety regulations, such as waiting behind the curb, boarding only after the vehicle has fully stopped, using handrails, and not distracting the driver, is essential.
Special attention is needed at the beginning of the school year or when children start commuting independently. Safety campaigns often focus on this "newcomer" group to increase vigilance and awareness.
While specific detailed official recommendations for North Rhine-Westphalia bus and train school routes are not directly found, these general principles align with ongoing road safety education and a structured approach to promote safe school commutes across German regions.
Last year, there were nearly 23,000 accidents involving children, young people, and young adults on their way to or from school, kindergarten, and university in NRW, according to data from the NRW accident insurance fund. To reduce these numbers, it's crucial to practice safe behavior.
When following a school bus or train, there is an overtaking ban for buses with flashing hazard lights, as explained by the ADAC. This also applies to oncoming traffic. Bus stops should be passed particularly carefully, as children cross the street after getting off the bus or "run quickly to the school bus if they are late".
If the first graders take a part or the entire route by school bus or public transport, the ADAC in NRW recommends that these routes also be practiced with the children beforehand. Car drivers should be prepared for sudden movements towards the road.
The state traffic safety council suggests informing oneself whether there are parent drop-off points in the vicinity of the school to relieve dangerous traffic situations in front of schools. Practicing the new school route with children in advance, discussing the dangers at crossings or street crossings in detail, and walking the school route with them several times under real conditions, i.e. on weekdays in the morning and at midday, are all crucial steps towards ensuring a safe school commute.
The traffic safety councils in NRW are campaigning to drive carefully in the vicinity of schools with flyers, banners, and actions. Parents should praise their children when they do something right during the school route practice to encourage safe behavior.
By following these recommendations, parents and children can ensure a safe and enjoyable school commute in North Rhine-Westphalia.
To complement their child's safety, parents can adopt a lifestyle that includes home-and-garden practices like living near the school or planning a home-school route comprehensively, taking into consideration the distance, speed, and safety points. In addition, education-and-self-development becomes crucial in promoting road safety for children, with learning resources like the video series by the Bonn Police featuring "Charly the Bear" helping children understand traffic rules.
