Essential road safety tips for kids

There’s nothing quite like watching your little one grow, eagerly exploring every corner of the world — or at least the local streets.  

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While we all encourage that sense of adventure, teaching kids how to stay safe around roads is a lesson that starts early and never really stops.

Whether you’re holding the hand of a toddler who insists on darting towards the road or nervously watching as your pre-teen insists they’ve got everything “under control,” road safety for kids is something every parent keeps top of mind.

In this guide, we’ll break down road safety for children of different ages, dive into how to teach these skills effectively and tackle the big question: when is it actually safe to let them venture out on their own?

Plus, we’ll share some tips for walking, cycling, and using public transport safely, so you can feel confident they’re prepared for whatever the roads throw at them.

Teaching road safety for kids

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Teaching road safety is a bit like teaching table manners. You start with the basics, repeat yourself a lot, and eventually, it becomes second nature (fingers crossed!). The trick is to start road safety early and keep things simple — after all, kids have a knack for soaking up info, but their attention spans? Not so much.

Here are some effective strategies to help teach your kids road safety in a way that’s engaging and (hopefully) sticks:

1. Lead by example: Kids learn by watching what we do. Every time you safely cross the road, use a zebra crossing, or stop to check both ways, you’re demonstrating the right habits. Make it a point to explain what you’re doing. A simple “We stop here to check for cars because they might not see us” can go a long way in planting the idea of road safety in their little heads.
2. Keep it hands-on: Nothing teaches better than real-life practice. Walk safely with your child, talk through the process of crossing the road, and let them take the lead once they’re ready (with you still there, of course). The more they practice road safety with you, the more confident they’ll be when it’s their turn to cross solo.
3. Use games and apps: Because let’s face it, kids love a good game! There are several child-friendly road safety apps and games that turn learning into playtime. From matching road signs to crossing safely in a game format, these road safety tools can reinforce what you’ve taught them in real-life scenarios.
4. Make it relatable: Kids connect with stories, so use situations they understand. “Imagine you’re walking to the park, and you see a dog across the road. What do you do?” Help them walk through the steps. This makes road safety feel relevant rather than just a bunch of rules.
5. Regular reminders: Just because they’ve heard it once doesn’t mean it’s stuck. Keep reinforcing road safety rules every time you’re out. Things like holding hands near roads,stopping at driveways, and looking both ways become second nature through repetition.

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Why is road safety for children important?

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Kids are naturally curious, and while that’s usually a good thing, it can be a real problem when it comes to road safety and traffic. They often don’t have the same awareness of danger as adults do — and that’s not just because they’re distracted by shiny things like a passing ice cream truck. Physiologically, children’s peripheral vision is narrower than adults, their ability to judge the speed and distance of vehicles is underdeveloped, and their impulsive behaviour can lead to split-second decisions that put them at risk.

Road-related accidents remain one of the leading causes of injury and death among children, which makes road safety education not just important, but critical. Here are a few reasons why road safety needs to be on every parent’s radar:

1. Physical limitations: Children, especially those under 10, can’t gauge how fast a car in oncoming traffic is travelling or how far away it is. Their smaller size also means they’re harder to see from a driver’s perspective, especially in busy streets or driveways.
2. Limited attention span: Ever noticed how a toddler will suddenly run towards something that catches their eye? Kids tend to focus on one thing at a time, often completely blocking out everything else around them. This means they may not hear or see approaching vehicles if their attention is elsewhere. Not great for road safety.
3. Developing judgment skills: Understanding road signs, traffic lights, pedestrian rules, and road safety takes time to learn. Kids don’t automatically know when it’s safe to cross a road or how to react in complex situations, like busy intersections. This is why constant guidance and repetition of road safety are key.
4. Impulsive behaviour: Children often act on impulse, especially when they’re excited or distracted. Even if they’ve been taught the rules, in a real-world situation, they might forget everything in the rush to chase a ball that’s rolled onto the street.

Without the right road safety skills, children are more vulnerable around traffic. That’s why we need to take the time to ensure they know the rules of the road, understand how to spot potential dangers and develop good safety habits from an early age.

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Road safety for children under 5

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For toddlers and preschoolers, unpredictability and curiosity are the name of the game, so they need constant supervision around roads. Here’s how to keep your under-5s safe:

• Hold hands: Always hold your child’s hand near roads, or have them hold onto the pram or your bag if they’re feeling “independent.”
• Use crossings: Make it a habit to use pedestrian crossings and traffic lights to teach good behaviour and road safety early on.
• Simple instructions: Teach basic terms like “stop,” “wait,” and “look,” as they’ll help kids begin to grasp road safety.
• Stay visible: Dress them in bright or reflective clothing to make sure they’re easily seen by drivers.
• Avoid distractions: No toys or snacks near busy roads to help them stay aware of their surroundings.

Road safety for children between 5 and 9

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By this age, kids are gaining a bit more independence but still need guidance. Here’s how to keep them safe:

• Practice crossing safely: Teach “stop, look, and listen” every time they cross, and practice it together to assist them in getting across the road safely.
• Reinforce crossings: Keep reminding them to use pedestrian crossings to get across the road safely, even when they think they’ve mastered it.
• Explain road signs: Introduce key road signs in a simple way, so they become familiar with what to look out for to cross the road safely.
• Supervised independence: Start letting them walk short distances alone, but do a practice run to point out hazards.
• Driveway dangers: Teach them to stop and look at driveways for reversing cars, as drivers may not see them.

Road safety for children between 10 and 13

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Tweens start exploring the world solo, but they still need to know how to stay safe:

1. Refine road-crossing skills: Ensure they cross the road safely at pedestrian lights and stay alert, even if they’ve got the green light.
2. Handling tricky situations: Help them navigate busier roads, intersections, and roundabouts safely.
3. Cycling rules: Ensure they know to wear helmets, follow road rules, and use bike lanes. Add reflective gear for extra safety.
4. No distractions: Discourage using phones or wearing headphones while near traffic. Safety first, screen time later!
5. Peer pressure: Talk to them about standing firm when friends take unsafe risks, like running across busy roads.
6. Gradual independence: Slowly increase the distance they travel alone, checking in regularly to make sure they’re confident.

Safe travel

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As kids grow, they aren’t just navigating roads on foot. Whether they’re walking, cycling, or hopping on a bus, safety still needs to be top of mind. Here’s how to help your child travel safely, no matter the mode of transport.

Walking and cycling safely

Ensure your child always walks on the footpath, away from the curb. When crossing, they should stop at safe points like pedestrian crossings and avoid running across roads, even if they’re in a hurry.

For cycling and bike safety – helmets are a must, and the same goes for following road rules. Make sure your child rides in bike lanes or on the footpath if it’s legal in your area. Regularly check their bike for maintenance issues, like brakes and tyres. Bike safety also includes checking for parked cars that might be pulling out.

Using public transport safely

When waiting for buses or trams, kids should always stand back from the edge of the road or platform. Teach children the importance of never rushing towards the vehicle until it has completely stopped.

Teach them to be mindful when getting on and off. Encourage them to wait for the bus or tram to pull away before crossing the road, as visibility can be limited by the vehicle itself.

Safe to go solo: Knowing when your child is ready

The big question many parents face is when it’s safe to let kids travel alone. There’s no magic age — it’s more about assessing your child’s maturity and ability to handle tricky situations. Some key signs they’re ready and can handle pedestrian safety:

• They consistently follow road safety and pedestrian safety rules.
• They’ve successfully completed practice runs with you.
• They understand how to handle unexpected situations (like a bus breaking down or getting lost).

Start with small, supervised trips, and gradually give them more independence as they show responsibility.

Other road safety reminders

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Stay visible: Encourage your child to wear bright or reflective clothing, especially during winter or in low-light conditions. Fluorescent vests or armbands are a simple but effective way to keep them seen by drivers.

Avoid shortcuts: Remind kids to stick to well-lit, familiar routes instead of cutting through less safe areas like alleys or construction sites. It may take a little longer, but safety should always come first.

Be alert: Whether they’re walking or cycling, your child should stay aware of their surroundings. No texting or headphones when crossing roads or riding a bike. Distractions can lead to missed dangers.

Know the plan: Ensure your child knows the full route before setting off — whether they’re walking to school or heading to a friend’s house. Have backup options in place, like knowing who to contact if they get lost or miss the bus.

Trust instincts: Teach them to trust their gut if something feels unsafe. If they’re unsure about a situation — like a dodgy bus stop or being followed — encourage them to seek help immediately, whether that’s heading to a public place, calling you, or finding a safe adult.

Emergency contacts: Make sure your child knows who to call in case of an emergency, and ensure they have your phone number memorised or saved on their phone. It’s also a good idea to have a backup contact, like another family member or trusted friend.

Wrapping it up

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There you have it — the essentials of keeping your kids safe on the roads. It might feel like you’re repeating yourself a lot with reminders about crossing safely and wearing helmets, but all that guidance is what helps them build lifelong habits. And hey, at least road safety is one thing where a little over-preparedness is never a bad thing.

Sources

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UNICEF, Road safety tips, n.d

Better Health Channel, Road and traffic safety for children, September 2024

Kids Safe, Car and Road Safety, n.d

Raising Children, Pedestrian and road safety for children, October 2023