Early road safety education is of real need in our communities. An essential, systematic approach to this subject with activities that are meaningful for children is necessary.
The ideas
A great number of accidents are due to factors such as crossing the street when the light is red; being blinded by high beams at night; driving under the influence of alcohol; using the cell phone and not paying attention. The project aims to understand the importance in daily life of recognition and respect for road rules in order to promote societal and personal security. Children can become spokespersons and contribute their bit for road safety, since they are future pedestrians, passengers and responsible drivers.
We started the project with outreach, consultation with experts, surveys, and such. We read information about the different situations which make for safe or unsafe traffic, and reflected on it. We carried out a home survey: ‘In which seat do the children travel?’, ‘Do they wear a seat belt?’ We also designed a Website to publicize the project and published its stages of development, and we used social networks as well.
The initiatives
In a second stage of the project, we will create a space in school where students can reproduce a traffic circuit and generate everyday situations in which children can experience road handling, crosswalks, cycling, etcetera. Kindergarten and primary students will simulate a day's bike ride, tricycle, skating or just walking. We will be in contact with the municipality to organize an activity in the street to raise awareness, in which third year college students will act as mimes to attract the attention of drivers and pedestrians. Brochures will be delivered and everyday situations will be simulated.
