In Help Flash We want to remind you that, with or without coronavirus, it's still just as important to take extreme precautions regarding road safety when returning to school in 2020. To that end, we're leaving you with some recommendations for children and adults alike.
As with almost everything, education is paramount, and as parents, we must be a role model for our children by following road safety rules and teaching them basic safety tips, such as looking both ways before crossing, getting out of the car on the sidewalk, and wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle or skateboard.
When traveling on school buses...
The most dangerous moment occurs when getting on or off the bus. The DGT (Directorate General of Traffic) reports that 90% of accidents occur during these maneuvers or immediately afterward . For this reason, it's important to teach children how to get on and off in an orderly manner. Adults, for their part, should avoid waiting for children on the opposite side of the road and, of course, should avoid passing the bus while it's picking up or dropping off students at the bus stop.
During the journey , children must remain in their seats , always using adapted restraint systems. Although only two-point seat belts are mandatory on buses, the Spanish Alliance for Child Road Safety (AESVi) recommends choosing vehicles with three-point seat belts for greater safety on school buses. They also emphasize the role of accompanying adults as essential to children's safety and, during this school year, key to compliance with protocols to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.
If you travel by car...
You should remember that not only is it essential for children to travel in a Child Restraint System (CRS) appropriate for their size and weight, no matter how short the journey, but it's also very dangerous for them to travel with their backpacks on, even inside their car seat . For a safe return to school, we recommend that backpacks travel in the trunk and children, with only a few clothes, in their CRS, which should preferably be placed in the center rear seat.
For older children, it is advisable to use a seat with a backrest up to 150 cm high , as it provides protection against side impacts. For younger children, although not mandatory, extending the rear-facing position will greatly improve the protection of their neck, head, and back. Always load and unload children on the safest side, which is the sidewalk . Parents should also take extreme caution when driving near school grounds and avoid double parking, as this practice is detrimental in two ways, reducing visibility for pedestrians crossing and other drivers on the road.
If you travel by motorcycle...
Although children from the age of 7 can exceptionally ride motorcycles with their parents, it is recommended that they do so from the age of 12 , as stipulated by the regulations. They should always be provided with an approved helmet, adapted to their size and fitted under the chin , and full protective gear. It is important not to overlook the risk of instability caused by children carrying a backpack while riding a motorcycle. Therefore, it must be properly secured to the motorcycle's carrier or luggage rack.
Whether you're riding a bicycle or walking...
Children can also go to school alone , either by bike or on foot. It's recommended that adults accompany them the first few times , identifying dangerous areas, intersections, and pedestrian crossings (and how to cross them), and teaching them the importance of arriving early and monitoring traffic at all times. At this point, the education we mentioned at the beginning of the blog is even more important, as parents must teach their children the traffic rules , whether they are riding bicycles or walking.
When cycling, it's important to signal your maneuvers and be careful with pedestrians so they can ride safely on the sidewalk and cross roads. Furthermore, when riding a bike, it's essential to monitor the weight of your backpack and wear a helmet , lighting, and reflective clothing . This is also recommended when riding on foot , especially in autumn and winter.
Back to school with coronavirus.
Each Autonomous Community will have its own specificities, but we'll review some general points for you to help you safely return to school . While traveling , if you're traveling by car and everyone in the car is from the same family , you can travel without a mask . If any of the occupants live in another house, everyone must wear a mask .
On buses, the protocol agreed upon by the Government and the autonomous communities for school transportation includes fixed seating on the routes, mandatory masks for children 6 and older , and recommended for children 3 to 5. As with road safety, parents are the best example for children . Explaining the real problem of the Coronavirus to children and teaching them how to put on and take off their masks and how to properly store them during lunch is essential.
Plus, a spare mask in a school backpack can get kids out of a tight spot—they're kids.
