Five road safety rules every child should know

Children learn road safety best by doing, not by listening. These five rules are short enough for a seven-year-old to remember, and each one comes with a way to practise it on the walk to school.

Rule one: stop at the edge

Before stepping off the pavement, stop, even if the road looks empty. Practise by asking your child to stand still at every kerb and count to three before crossing.

Rule two: look right, left, right

Traffic comes from different directions, and a child needs to look more than once. Practise by turning it into a chant: right, left, right, then walk.

Rule three: use the crossing

A zebra crossing or a signal is safer than any other spot. Where there is none, walk to a place where drivers can see you clearly and cross straight, not at an angle.

Rule four: never run across

A child who runs may trip, and a driver may not see the child in time. Practise crossing at a steady walking pace, even when a bus is waiting on the other side.

Rule five: be seen

In the rain, at dusk or in dark clothes, drivers see children late. Bright clothes, a reflective strip on the bag and an umbrella in a bright colour make a real difference.

Parents and teachers can add two more habits: never get in or out of a vehicle on the traffic side, and always hold an adult’s hand in a crowd. If your school would like a short road safety session, write to us.