Kempten / Schwaben - At the beginning of the school year, the police headquarters in Swabia South / West organize traffic action days and give tips on how to get to school safely.
In general, drivers in the vicinity of schools should be particularly vigilant.
Because children are not as easily visible as adults due to their height.
Especially when they walk onto the street between parked cars, there is a high risk that car and two-wheeler drivers will notice them too late.
All other road users have to be careful at the start of school.
The behavior of children is often unpredictable. Especially when children are out in groups. School beginners in particular are not that familiar with road traffic.
Other road users should also be particularly careful around school bus stops.
The police recommend that you only drive past school buses at walking pace with the warning light system switched on. This also applies outside of town and for oncoming traffic if the lanes are not structurally separated.
How can parents contribute to safety on the way to school and avoid dangerous situations for their children?
Parents can do a lot to ensure that their children are safe in traffic.
The police headquarters Swabia South / West advises:
Avoid unnecessary car trips to school.
If possible, children should walk to school or take the school bus.
If parents drive their children to school unnecessarily, there is a high volume of vehicles at the school and the associated additional traffic hazards for the children.
The parents mean well, but their actions may create additional sources of danger for children.
Find a safe way to school for your child.
Some schools and communities offer ready-made school route maps as an aid.
Practice the safe way to school with your child:
run the route with your child.
Do not stir up any fears in your child, it is better to practice more often.
You can also train the path at different times of the day.
Light-colored clothing and reflectors
on the satchel ensure visibility.
If driving to school is unavoidable, secure children properly with seat belts or in a child seat.
The vehicle drivers are responsible for this and also serve as role models.
Do not allow yourself to be distracted while driving.
If you listen to music in your car on your way to school, you may not be able to spot approaching vehicles and other traffic hazards in good time.
Playing or romping around also distracts from the traffic.
Discuss it with your child.
Children should only ride their bikes to school after they have completed their fourth grade bicycle training.
Children should only go to school by bike when they are mature enough, have sufficient knowledge of the traffic rules and can assess the dangers of road traffic.
Parents should make sure that the bike is roadworthy;
especially the lights and brakes have to work.
E-scooters, hoverboards and other electrical means of transport
Do not allow your child to use illegal electrical means of transport to go to school.
Driving with such vehicles can be very dangerous.
In addition, it may be an administrative offense or even a criminal offense on public roads.
Report danger spots or any obstructions to the view from overgrown
plants or trees to the police.
PP Swabia South / West
