Road Safety Tips for Younger Children
Know Your Safety Signals
Teach children the meanings of basic traffic signals, such as red for stop, green for go, and yellow for caution. Gradually introduce other signals, like pedestrian crossing lights to help them understand when it’s safe to cross. They should also have some knowledge of common traffic signs, such as:
- Stop
- Stop and Give Way
- Pedestrians Prohibited
- Uneven Road
- No Parking, No Standing, and No Stopping
- Horn Prohibited
- Left Turn Signal
- No U-Turn
- School Ahead
- Speed Limit
- Roundabout
- Curve
- No Standing
- Narrow Bridge
- Dip
Be Careful While Crossing Roads
Always encourage children to use crosswalks when available. If there’s no crosswalk, remind them to look both ways, wait for vehicles to pass, and avoid crossing between parked cars.
Always Pay Attention and Listen to Warnings
Instruct children to stay alert and listen for sounds like horns or sirens while walking near roads. Teach them to recognize emergency vehicle sounds and give way to ambulances or fire trucks.
Never Run on Busy Roads
Remind children to walk calmly and avoid running near roads, even on quiet streets. Running can lead to accidents, especially if they suddenly enter the road without checking for traffic.
Always Use Sidewalks
Encourage children to walk on sidewalks or footpaths whenever possible. If there’s no sidewalk, they should walk facing oncoming traffic to stay visible to drivers.
Be Seen at Night
Advise children to wear bright or reflective clothing when walking in low-light conditions. This helps drivers spot them easily, reducing the risk of accidents.
Practice Safety in Moving Vehicles
Teach children to always wear seat belts and avoid sticking their hands or heads out of car windows. Remind them to hold onto handrails in buses to stay steady during sudden stops.
Ride Bicycles Carefully
Ensure that children wear bike helmets to guard against head injuries and check their bikes for working brakes and lights before riding. Encourage them to use bicycle lanes and stay alert for vehicles around them.
Be Safe When Getting In and Out of Vehicles
Instruct children to wait for vehicles to stop completely before boarding or exiting. They should always step onto the curb side to avoid oncoming traffic.
Never Multitask While Walking on Roads
Remind children to stay focused and avoid distractions like phones or books while walking. Being alert helps them notice potential dangers and follow road safety rules.
