PARENTS, JUNE is Road Safety Month, and here are some tips that can assist in ensuring the safety of your children on the road.
Instruct your child that before crossing any road-way he/she should:
Stop at the edge of the sidewalk or pavement;
Watch the flow of traffic;
Note that vehicles travel at different speeds;
Listen for the different traffic sounds;
Take note of the different crossing places such as at traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and overhead bridges which are safer to use;
Not cross around corners and bends;
Not cross in front of or from behind large vehicles (buses or trucks);
Wait until the road is clear. Look right, look left, and then look right again before crossing;
Encourage your child to take note of the environment and practice safe behaviour he/she should not play along the roadway;
Explain the purposes of a pedestrian crossing and show the child how to use one properly;
Teach your child the importance of:
1. Choosing the safest place available for crossing stopping at the side of the road or the edge of the sidewalk (curb) before crossing;
2. Looking and listening for oncoming vehicles;
3. Identifying persons a police or traffic warden who can be of assistance to him/her when crossing; and
4. Practice the crossing exercises with your child:
Start at a safe place along a road with low traffic flows.
(Source: Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture)
