How well do your kids know the rules of the road?
Perhaps it’s time to refresh our kids’ road safety skills.
Yesterday afternoon while driving home through our neighbourhood I was passing a busy area near a school. Those of us living in the area know to take caution and slow down, considering the number of parents and kids getting in and out of cars and crossing the road.
When I approached the stop street I slowed down, stopped and waited for my turn to go. As I took off over the stop street a child popped out from the front of a parked car and ran across the road without looking. Had I been the type of driver who didn’t anticipate this sort of thing, that child would’ve met the front of my car.
Read more; Pedestrian crime is still an issue! Some things your should know!
Unfortunately, not all drivers are as aware of these likelihoods in such areas and it’s no wonder that the statistics for pedestrian and motorist-related accidents are so high.
What do you teach your kids about the road?
It may seem mundane and obvious to point it out, but I feel that more parents need to be making a big deal about it when teaching their kids about road safety rules.
We’ve put together an easy guide to help you teach your kids about road safety:
Stick to the pavement
Do not to walk on the road unless crossing it with an adult.
Parents walking with their kids should hold hands at all times to ensure that they don’t run away.
Teach your child to be aware and to watch out for cyclists and other pedestrians.
Where possible, stick to the side of the pavement that is furthest away from the road.
No running
Children are restless and teaching them to stick by your side and walk with you can be frustrating for them. Don’t let your kids get into the habit of running along ahead of you. Be firm about this.
Traffic lights and road signs
Spend time at home going through all the different road signs and traffic lights. The internet is full of road sign tutorials and pics (see link at the end). When you’re out on the roads with your kids test their knowledge and ask them to tell you what each sign or colour of the traffic light means.
Staying visible
Get your kids into the habit of wearing brightly coloured clothing so that they’re easy for motorists and other road users to spot.
Focus and awareness
Kids are so easily distracted and it’s important that they’re aware of their surroundings at all times. Don’t let them get carried away when walking and chatting with a group of friends near the road. Wearing earphones, listening to music or talking on the phone keeps them distracted and not focused on what’s going on around them.
Also read: Refresh your road rules knowledge