Whether your child is planning to travel to school by car, bus, walking or cycling, the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) has developed guidance to help you prepare them for their new journey.
During this stage of their development as road users, children find themselves at greater risk as they start to travel more independently.
Parents and carers play a crucial role in the development of a child’s road safety knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviour.
Deputy Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Commissioner, Dave Evans, who is Chair of the SSRP said: “It’s really important that parents and carers talk to their children about road safety and their new journey to school, especially if they are planning to travel on their own.
Starting a new school can be exciting for children but can also cause them to worry. Talking to your child about how they are going to get to school and general road safety, can not only help ensure they travel safely, but can also help them feel calmer about their new school.”
The SSRP has developed a guide for parents and carers on what to cover with children as they plan their new journey. To help with their planning you may want to ask them:
- What is the safest route to get to and from school?
- Where are the safest places to cross?
- Who are you going to travel with?
- Are there any hazards on their route and how can they deal with them?
- What worries do they have about walking to school?
The SSRP delivers a range of road safety education sessions to children and young people across the County and City, including sessions to help children to plan a new journey safely.
For more information on how to prepare your child for a new school journey visit: Moving on to High School – Guide for Parents & Carers in Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent
