Technology has made it possible for the humankind to take a giant leap in the modes and pace of transport. However, the urban infrastructure remains largely inefficient to accommodate the ever increasing fleet of vehicles and so does the issue of Road safety for children both in the developed and developing nations alike.
So how do we tackle this issue?
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1. Teach them young
Road safety for Children can be ensured primarily by a guided and effective teaching of road safety rules and regulations especially in the budding years. Even pre-primary kids can understand the safety rules easily if taught with fun filled activities. For example, rhymes on road safety can be taught to kids. Dramas or small skits, games on traffic rules, traffic park visits, etc. can help the mentors to instill the needs of observing traffic rules even from a younger age.
2. Visit the road
No amount of book work or training can be useful unless it is implemented in real life situation. A short visit to a suburban where traffic is less can be much useful for teaching road safety for children especially for primary kids. But be careful and extra cautious in leading the kids. Take a small group at a time so that it will be easy to manage the kids and they can learn the traffic rules with ease.
3. Mind the traffic
Seek for assistance from traffic controllers for managing traffic near educational institutions at peak hours, particularly during the morning and evening rushes. Schools can also deploy student volunteers from Scouts, Guides or NCC cadets for assisting the traffic personnel. This can serve the dual purpose of teaching and effectively managing road safety for children.
4. Be with kids
Don’t leave the children while crossing the road, especially the younger ones. Parents often tend to be busy with their hands and eyes glued to the mobile especially while crossing the roads. A little care and a tight grip on their hands could ensure road safety for children. It is important to never leave them unattended while on busy roads.
5. Reward the kids
A good behaviour should be appreciated and rewarded, especially for kids so that it will instill the values and rules that they learn. Appreciate when they follow the rules and ask others to follow their example.
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6. Install traffic signals
Rural and semi urban areas are fast developing to urban centres with the rapid boost of the economy. Due to their massive numbers, authorities and government agencies might overlook the need of installing traffic signals and symbols. Citizens can make group requests through schools, residents associations or other entities for installing traffic signs at required places near their vicinity. For example, school authorities can put forward a request to the government to make zebra crossings and speed breakers near the school for ensuring road safety for children.
7. Upkeep the vehicles
It is necessary to keep the school vehicles properly maintained and checked at regular intervals so that accidents can be avoided. Regular overhauling can not only increase the efficiency of the vehicle, but also considerably decreases the likelihood of occurrence of untoward events.
8. Create Awareness campaigns
Campaigning for creating awareness on traffic rules and safety tips with the students is a proven mechanism as far as the reach is considered. Children tend to campaign hard for a cause and it's all the better if it is for creating vigil on traffic rules. Consider it not as a burdensome task, but a small initiative to ensure the road safety for children.
9. Keep Panic away
Even if the kids follow the rules, some motorists might tend to break the rules and create chaos for the citizens. Kids tend to panic easily and might get into accidents inadvertently. Keep them calm and safe, especially while witnessing reckless driving. Don’t forget to emphasize the need for adhering to the rules because road safety for children should be given prime importance in traffic rule education.