Safer travel
Walking to school
Parents taking children to school in cars causes congestion, adds to global warming from car exhaust pollution and more importantly, creates dangers to children and parents trying to cross the road between rows of parked cars. Parents often say that they take their children to school by car because the roads are dangerous when it is their own parked cars that cause the problem. Getting parents and children out of cars and walking to school benefits everybody.
Why should we walk to school?
- Walking is a great way of keeping fit - a brisk walk is good for your heart.
- You can teach your children important road safety skills - it's never too young to start to learn.
- It's less stressful - no driving round to find a parking space or parking on zig-zags and risking a fine.
- You and your children will discover more about your local environment.
- You are helping the environment by cutting down on greenhouse gases.
- Walking is free - just think of all the money you can save!
Get the most out of walking to school
- Spend time discussing your journey to and from school. Work out the safest route together.
- Use the safest place to cross and point out why crossing elsewhere is dangerous.
- There are lots of things to look at and talk about on the pavement and the road.
- Point out hazards and dangers you come across, eg driveways, vehicles parked on the pavement. Talk about how to deal with them.
- Talk about the weather and how it could influence the journey to school.
Be safe on your journey to school
- Always hold your child's hand. Never let them run ahead of you.
- Walk on the pavement with your child furthest away from the road.
- Always cross the road properly - children learn by copying adult behaviour. Don't set bad examples.
- Be Safe Be Seen. Wear bright clothes so that you and your child are easily seen.
If you enjoy walking to school and would like to encourage more children to walk, the charity 'Living Streets' runs national awareness events - Walk to School Week in May, Walk to School Month in October and a year round scheme called Walk Once a Week. Safety leaflets are available from Living Streets|
and Walk to School|
