School Road Safety in Australia

Using the road is one of the most complicated and dangerous experiences for all people. Children are particularly vulnerable, whether they are walking, playing or traveling. Road related trauma is the greatest cause of injury and fatality for school aged children as pedestrians, cyclists and passengers. Up to the age of 11 or 12 most children do not have the necessary cognitive and physical skills and abilities to be safe on their own in traffic. This is particularly the case for being able to safely negotiate complex traffic situations. Education and training play a vital role in preparing road users by developing skills and understandings and providing real world experiences which over time; enable them to make safe and responsible choices as road users. The objective of road safety education is to deliver developmentally appropriate education that prepares children and young people to become safe and independent road users. In Australia the achievement of this is undertaken through pre-schools, primary and secondary schools and a variety of community settings as part of a longer term strategy to reduce road trauma. But whilst education settings seem to be the logical way to educate and develop skills and knowledge, the role of parents/care givers as early educators and road safety role models is of critical importance. In relation to child road safety, reducing environmental risks in local communities and particularly around schools can significantly increase the safety of children in the short term, particularly during those early years of high risk due to their developmental limitations. This paper discusses and justifies ‘best practice’ approaches to educating and training children and young people which are implemented in Australian schools and communities. In addition it addresses initiatives which contribute to the provision of a safer road environment around schools.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1933452080
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 

  ARRB

  Melbourne, Victoria  Australia 
• Authors:
  • Ivett, Linda
• Conference:
  • ITE 2005 Annual Meeting and Exhibit Compendium of Technical Papers
  • Location: Melbourne , Australia
  • Date: 2005-8-7 to 2005-8-10
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: CD-ROM; References;
• Pagination: 14p
• Monograph Title: ITE 2005 Annual Meeting and Exhibit Compendium of Technical Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Children; Community action programs; Highway safety; Risk assessment; Safety; Safety programs; School children; School safety; Young adults
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01006874
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 1933452080
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 25 2005 12:20PM