School classes fall behind in traffic lessons because of the corona crisis. Teaching is important: children are less involved in accidents afterwards.
District - What should be rated higher: to protect children from dangerous situations in road traffic that is still unfamiliar to them, or to expose them to no risk of infection? The Ministry of Culture has decided in favor of the latter in consultation with the Bavarian Minister of the Interior. And that has far-reaching effects on traffic education. In some cases the bicycle tests for the current year are completely canceled or could only be carried out rudimentarily
The traffic lessons from the police, all experts agree, have saved many children's lives in the past. The roundabout guard Ebersberg repeatedly pointed out that the sound accident rate could be reduced noticeably by sound education of the children. That is also the opinion of the Munich Police Headquarters.
Children less involved in serious accidents after class
Children were significantly less involved in serious accidents after this lesson. Unfortunately, the current school year group will not benefit from this to the usual extent, as traffic educator and chief inspector Theodor Hartl from the police inspection in Poing confirms. This year, six classes from Markt Schwaben, three from Pliening, and two classes from Anzing and Forstinning will receive no bicycle lessons at all. Reductions also had to be made in Vaterstetten and Zorneding.
“The children are looking forward to the traffic lessons because it is a change from everyday school life,” says Hartl. Those who have done everything correctly and particularly well after passing the exam will receive a pennant of honor. "This is very important to the children," Hartl knows from his practice.
Quite a few schoolchildren in the Ebersberg district can still remember the name of the policeman who presented them with this award even after decades. Desired side effect of the security efforts: The children have good experiences with the police.
This also partly fails this year because only the autumn block could be carried out without restrictions, as Hartl confirms.
Children learn: If you see the truck driver, he can also see you
The police are trying to compensate as best they can. In compliance with the hygiene rules, at least the teaching on the subject of “blind spots” would be maintained. "This works out. For this we put a foil on the floor ”. The children learn: If you see the truck driver, he can also see you. "But the pupils are not allowed in the vehicle," says Hartl, another limitation that is due to the corona pandemic. "All of this is no longer applicable. The effort would be far too great. "
Hartl sees the "parents demanded" in such a situation. The traffic watchdog offers information online for the legal guardians, who could carry out the bike lessons themselves according to these instructions. "But of course that does not replace the practical part." In this situation, the ADFC also obliges parents to teach their offspring how to behave in a traffic-friendly manner. Many also do not allow their children to go to school themselves without sound bike training including an exam.
Normal: Around 750 students go through bicycle training every year
In the area of the police inspection in Poing, around 750 pupils normally go through bicycle training every year, and in Ebersberg, too, there are almost 800, reports traffic teacher Martin Schedo. Up to 400 children, he estimates, will go away empty-handed this year, the new Grafingen practice area remains orphaned.
After Pentecost holidays, Schedo also wants to at least bring the topic of "blind spots" closer to children in school - in compliance with all regulations. He also wants to show a small video film. "I will attend each class twice because the lessons have been shared," he promises.