Some basic road safety knowledge should be taught from the start and returning to the classroom can be a great opportunity to inculcate or reinforce these (good) habits with children and young people.
A Help Flash suggests 12 fundamental rules of children's road safety that should be taught to your children, in a simple, informative and, why not, fun way, so that they can “adventure” in this new reality with more confidence and safety.
- Utilize sempre as passadeiras
Crossing the road safely is a passadeira! This is one of the first road safety rules that children should learn. But it's not just about increasing that, if you see a traffic light, you just have to cross it like a green signal for pedestrians.
- Olhar para os dois lados
Another rule that we have all known since we were little, but more than ever it is worth remembering: before crossing the road, even at the passadeira, you must always look for both sides (left and right), ensuring that there are no vehicles nearby or passing by.
- Enter and exit the car always on the side of the road
Ensine children to enter and exit the car always on the side of the road. This prevents, when entering or leaving, opening the door to the side of the road, opening exposure to a vehicle that is going to pass. This seemingly simple gesture can prevent many accidents!
- The walk is the safest place
Here is another basic rule: the walk is the safest place for children. Always walk along the length of the passeio, but more afraid than the possibility of the berm, drastically reducing the risk of being run over.
- Always walk facing the cars
If you do not have to walk and for the same reason it is necessary to walk on the shoulder, teach children to walk straight ahead for the vehicles. This way, we can see approaching vehicles and turn quickly and safely.
- Calm! Don't go running
Even as we walk, as children we should never run. Explain that, if we do, we may trip and fall or not have time to stop if a vehicle approaches.
- Always use the safety belt
The safety belt is like a “mão que o apara”. A child (or adult) should never dispense or use it, regardless of the travel distance, because modern passive safety systems require the placement of safety belts to enhance their effect.
- Travel safely on an adequate chain
It is not known that in Portugal, for children under 12 years of age or with a height of less than 1.35m, self-training is mandatory by law. Choose a chain suitable for the size, weight and size of children and children - it is known that children at 15 months must travel from coast to coast.
- A turning cap to ride a bicycle or trot
If your files go to a bicycle or trot school, for example, your helmet is essential! This should be adjusted to the head size for maximum protection. Pick up a hat with a fun father or a child's joy to encourage its use.
- Checking traffic signals can be fun
Transform the road into a fun classroom, teaching children to reconstitute the traffic signals. Here you can turn this into a fun game, where you identify and memorize the signals you observe along the way and remember, on the next trip, their function.
- Atenção ao que os rodeia
On the street, pay attention and focus on the command words. Teach children to avoid distractions, such as using cell phones, when walking or riding a bicycle on a road.
- “Brilhar” no escuro
No autumn and no winter, the days are shorter and darker than ever. Ensure that children wear clothing or backpacks with reflective elements to be seen more easily by drivers.
It is not clear that the more fun the learning process has, the faster children internalize the rules. In the end, it's as a child that you learn to be a great boy!
