Traffic is one of the greatest threats to the lives of young children.  Please help your child to become safer.

                

Many young children do not understand basic road safety terms such as kerb, traffic, pedestrian etc.  Discuss these terms with your child and make sure that they can explain what they mean. 

 

The best way for your child to learn road safety skills is at the roadside.  Ask your child to teach you how to cross the road safely – only then will you be able to understand what your child really knows.  Children will often recite a set of rules, for example, ‘Stop, Look Listen and Think’ without understanding how to apply them.

 

It is vital that your child understands the need to always stop at the kerb before they cross the road.  It is important that they understand that traffic can come from any direction (not just left and right) and that they look properly in each of these directions before they cross. 

 

Teach your child that there is no such thing as a safe place to cross.  Many children are killed or seriously injured on pedestrian crossings when drivers fail to stop. Your child should understand that all roads are dangerous and that they need to be careful whenever they are near one.   Young children are usually injured on quieter roads close to their home.

 

The best way to protect your child when they are travelling in a car is to ensure that they use a correctly fitted, purpose made car seat. New regulations governing the use of child car seats are now in force.  For more information please visit the Child Car Seat Website.

 

The Tornado Way booklet has been designed for adults to use with children at the roadside.  You can download this from below or receive a copy by contacting the Road Safety Team on 443 2227.