Teaching children road safety

The facts

Road crashes are the major cause of accidental death for children aged 0-14.
On average, around seven children aged 0-15 are killed and close to 300 are injured each year on Victorian roads
Children can be more at risk due to not being visible, such as behind vehicles or driveways and intersections.
Children over 7 years old can be at risk of injury if they are moved from a booster seat to an adult seatbelt too early.

Keeping kids safe

Learning about road safety starts from the time a child begins to walk. As children grow they start to use our road network in different ways, from riding scooters and bikes through to using public transport. Parents are not always going to be around to supervise so it’s important to teach kids about road safety from a young age so that they can be safe on and around our roads.

There are many practical ways that you can help – and you don’t have to be a road safety expert to do so.

Children need to be taught how to:
understand timing and speed
cross roads safely
see a dangerous situation and respond in an appropriate manner.

Why children are at risk

They act on impulse and if this happens while walking, riding bicycles or playing near traffic there is a risk of injury or even death. While kids are vulnerable on their own, with the help of parents they can learn about safety on the roads and how to avoid dangerous situations from an early age.
Children have difficulty judging speed and distance, seeing objects in side vision and identifying direction of speed, as well as estimating speed timing.
Kids can be less visible to drivers -smaller children may be harder to see for drivers, especially in blindspots and when they’re behind a vehicle. Vehicles fitted with reversing cameras reduce the risk of collision, particularly when fitted to SUVs or 4WD vehicles.

Learning to be safe

There are lots of ways that kids use our roads. You can help teach them to be safe in the following ways

Walking

Before they are ten years old, children have not developed the skills and knowledge to handle risky situations on the road.

Parents or caregivers can help children by setting clear limits and guidance according to the age, personality and developmental stage of the child.

Pedestrian safety for children

Set clear limits for places that they can walk safely. Find places away from streets, driveways or parking lots and choose locations such as fenced areas, parks and playgrounds.
Practice how to cross the street safely in everyday situations such as going to the shops, visiting a friend or going to school. Always set a good example by crossing a street safely and using road crossings where available.
Teach your child to get in and out of the car on the kerbside avoiding the dangers from passing cars.
Teach kids not to play at the back of cars and to look before crossing driveways so they can see reversing vehicles.
Teach them to follow the basic elements of crossing safely using the Stop, Look, Listen and Think approach to crossing the road. This is:
- Stop one step back from the curb
- Look and listen for traffic
- Decide if it is safe to cross the road
- Keep looking and listening while crossing.

Talk about road rules in simple terms so your child understands why you need to be careful and explain what can happen when rules are broken. For more detailed information see the RACV website walking safely with children section.

Riding bicycles

The rules that apply to all vehicles on the road must be obeyed when riding a bicycle on the road, as well as there being some additional rules for bike riders.

Talk to your child about these rules in simple terms so they can understand why they’re important. In the early stages of teaching children bike rules, supervise them closely when near parked or moving vehicles - this means being near your child, not at a distance. Set a good example and show your child safe ways to cross streets.

Bicycle safety for children

Encourage your child to start wearing a helmet at an early stage - with their first tricycles. Ensure it is always fitted and worn properly as it can greatly reduce the risk of head injury.
The helmet should cover the upper part of the forehead and sit level on the head. A helmet worn too far back or not fitted snugly will not provide good protection. Learn how to fit a helmet correctly.
Limit riding to parks, playgrounds and school yards until they have experience in other areas. Children under nine years of age should not ride on the road without adult supervision.
Work out routes to various places that have safe crossings, such as at traffic lights. Avoid places that can hide a child from a driver's view (such as curves or bushes).
Help them understand how to ride safely on footpaths, especially when there are other people on the path.
Make sure you know the road rules for bicycle riders so you are riding safely and within the law.

Using toys with wheels

Any wheeled device on the road is regarded the same as pedestrians under the road rules. This includes skateboards, rollerblades, children's scooters, pedal cars or tricycles.

As well as general pedestrian rules, there are additional rules that parents should know and ensure that their child not only knows, but understands.

Most of the suggestions we outline for walking and road safety as well as bicycle road safety also apply to wheeled toys.

Road safety for children on skateboards, scooters and wheeled toys

Wheeled devices or toys cannot be used:
- on a road with a speed limit of more than 60 km/h
- on a road with a dividing line or median strip or
- on a one-way road with more than one marked lane
They must keep to the left on footpaths and shared paths and give way to pedestrians.
Unless a sign prohibits it, a person on roller blades, roller skates or a similar wheeled device can ride on a bicycle path or separated footpath designed for the use of bicycles, but must give way to any cyclist.
It is an offence (and extremely dangerous) to hold on to a moving vehicle
Correct fitting helmets must be worn.

Make sure your children know the road rules when they are using a skateboard or scooter or similar device with wheels. This means they are in the best position to prevent any injury to themselves or to others.

Travelling on public transport

Buses

School buses are a safe and convenient way for children to go to and from school. However, most pedestrian accidents involving buses happen either before the bus arrives or after it has driven away. It is crucial children know how to act safely before and after they get on a bus.

Bus safety tips

Both parents and children need to be aware of road safety around school buses and public buses. We have some tips below to help parents and children stay safe.

For Children

Stand well back at the bus stop until the bus has completely stopped.
Wait until the bus has moved off before crossing the road. This gives other drivers on the road the chance to see any pedestrians more clearly. It also allows pedestrians to have a clear view of traffic.
Choose a safe place to cross the road, not in front of the bus or between parked cars.

For Parents

Wait for children on the same side of the road as the bus stop. Parking opposite the bus stop can lead to an accident as children may be tempted to run across the road to meet you.
If you have to park opposite the bus stop, cross the road and wait on the same side as the bus stop.
Do not park in the bus parking bay. This area should be left free for the bus to get in and out.
Make sure you familiarise yourself with all the necessary laws so you can tell your children the right information, particularly as it applies to buses and children safely crossing roads.

Train and tram safety

Many kids use trains and trams every day as a way to get to and from school.

Teach them to only cross at marked train crossings and to never run across once barriers are down.
Teach your kids to wait safely at platforms, far away from the edge.
Make sure they understand the risks of trying to force the doors of a train or tram once it has begun moving.


Teaching children road safety The facts Road crashes are the major cause of accidental death for children aged 0-14. On average, around seven children aged 0-15 are killed and close to 300 are injured each year on Victorian roads Children can be more at risk due to not being visible, such as behind vehicles or driveways and intersections. Children over 7 years old can be at risk of injury if they are moved from a booster seat to an adult seatbelt too early. Keeping kids safe Learning about road safety starts from the time a child begins to walk. As children grow they start to use our road network in different ways, from riding scooters and bikes through to using public transport. Parents are not always going to be around to supervise so it’s important to teach kids about road safety from a young age so that they can be safe on and around our roads. There are many practical ways that you can help – and you don’t have to be a road safety expert to do so. Children need to be taught how to: understand timing and speed cross roads safely see a dangerous situation and respond in an appropriate manner. Why children are at risk They act on impulse and if this happens while walking, riding bicycles or playing near traffic there is a risk of injury or even death. While kids are vulnerable on their own, with the help of parents they can learn about safety on the roads and how to avoid dangerous situations from an early age. Children have difficulty judging speed and distance, seeing objects in side vision and identifying direction of speed, as well as estimating speed timing. Kids can be less visible to drivers -smaller children may be harder to see for drivers, especially in blindspots and when they’re behind a vehicle. Vehicles fitted with reversing cameras reduce the risk of collision, particularly when fitted to SUVs or 4WD vehicles. Learning to be safe There are lots of ways that kids use our roads. You can help teach them to be safe in the following ways Walking Before they are ten years old, children have not developed the skills and knowledge to handle risky situations on the road. Parents or caregivers can help children by setting clear limits and guidance according to the age, personality and developmental stage of the child. Pedestrian safety for children Set clear limits for places that they can walk safely. Find places away from streets, driveways or parking lots and choose locations such as fenced areas, parks and playgrounds. Practice how to cross the street safely in everyday situations such as going to the shops, visiting a friend or going to school. Always set a good example by crossing a street safely and using road crossings where available. Teach your child to get in and out of the car on the kerbside avoiding the dangers from passing cars. Teach kids not to play at the back of cars and to look before crossing driveways so they can see reversing vehicles. Teach them to follow the basic elements of crossing safely using the Stop, Look, Listen and Think approach to crossing the road. This is: Stop one step back from the curb Look and listen for traffic Decide if it is safe to cross the road Keep looking and listening while crossing. Talk about road rules in simple terms so your child understands why you need to be careful and explain what can happen when rules are broken. For more detailed information see the RACV website walking safely with children section. Riding bicycles The rules that apply to all vehicles on the road must be obeyed when riding a bicycle on the road, as well as there being some additional rules for bike riders. Talk to your child about these rules in simple terms so they can understand why they’re important. In the early stages of teaching children bike rules, supervise them closely when near parked or moving vehicles - this means being near your child, not at a distance. Set a good example and show your child safe ways to cross streets. Bicycle safety for children Encourage your child to start wearing a helmet at an early stage - with their first tricycles. Ensure it is always fitted and worn properly as it can greatly reduce the risk of head injury. The helmet should cover the upper part of the forehead and sit level on the head. A helmet worn too far back or not fitted snugly will not provide good protection. Learn how to fit a helmet correctly. Limit riding to parks, playgrounds and school yards until they have experience in other areas. Children under nine years of age should not ride on the road without adult supervision. Work out routes to various places that have safe crossings, such as at traffic lights. Avoid places that can hide a child from a driver's view (such as curves or bushes). Help them understand how to ride safely on footpaths, especially when there are other people on the path. Make sure you know the road rules for bicycle riders so you are riding safely and within the law. Using toys with wheels Any wheeled device on the road is regarded the same as pedestrians under the road rules. This includes skateboards, rollerblades, children's scooters, pedal cars or tricycles. As well as general pedestrian rules, there are additional rules that parents should know and ensure that their child not only knows, but understands. Most of the suggestions we outline for walking and road safety as well as bicycle road safety also apply to wheeled toys. Road safety for children on skateboards, scooters and wheeled toys Wheeled devices or toys cannot be used: on a road with a speed limit of more than 60 km/h on a road with a dividing line or median strip or on a one-way road with more than one marked lane They must keep to the left on footpaths and shared paths and give way to pedestrians. Unless a sign prohibits it, a person on roller blades, roller skates or a similar wheeled device can ride on a bicycle path or separated footpath designed for the use of bicycles, but must give way to any cyclist. It is an offence (and extremely dangerous) to hold on to a moving vehicle Correct fitting helmets must be worn. Make sure your children know the road rules when they are using a skateboard or scooter or similar device with wheels. This means they are in the best position to prevent any injury to themselves or to others. Travelling on public transport Buses School buses are a safe and convenient way for children to go to and from school. However, most pedestrian accidents involving buses happen either before the bus arrives or after it has driven away. It is crucial children know how to act safely before and after they get on a bus. Bus safety tips Both parents and children need to be aware of road safety around school buses and public buses. We have some tips below to help parents and children stay safe. For Children Stand well back at the bus stop until the bus has completely stopped. Wait until the bus has moved off before crossing the road. This gives other drivers on the road the chance to see any pedestrians more clearly. It also allows pedestrians to have a clear view of traffic. Choose a safe place to cross the road, not in front of the bus or between parked cars. For Parents Wait for children on the same side of the road as the bus stop. Parking opposite the bus stop can lead to an accident as children may be tempted to run across the road to meet you. If you have to park opposite the bus stop, cross the road and wait on the same side as the bus stop. Do not park in the bus parking bay. This area should be left free for the bus to get in and out. Make sure you familiarise yourself with all the necessary laws so you can tell your children the right information, particularly as it applies to buses and children safely crossing roads. Train and tram safety Many kids use trains and trams every day as a way to get to and from school. Teach them to only cross at marked train crossings and to never run across once barriers are down. Teach your kids to wait safely at platforms, far away from the edge. Make sure they understand the risks of trying to force the doors of a train or tram once it has begun moving.