Road safety education
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There are initiatives and resources targeted at children and young people to teach the skills required to become safe and independent road users.
'School Keep Clear' zig zag banner campaign
Many schools have a particular problem of parents parking on the ‘School Keep Clear’ zig zag lines during dropping off and picking up times.
To encourage drivers to park more considerately, we offer a loan of a zig zag banner, together with a leaflet for parents who drive their children to school, to help explain the dangers of obstructing school entrances.
The banner helps to encourage safer and more sustainable travel and raises awareness of travel and road safety.
During previous campaigns, many of the schools reported the frequency of drivers parking or stopping on the zig zags was reduced while the banner was displayed and behaviour was maintained for some days afterwards.
This gives some indication that a visible campaign could help to change drivers' attitudes and behaviour.
For more information please contact road safety at Barnet road.safety@barnet.gov.uk
Crossings
For advice for how to use crossings safely, visit the THINK website
The rules drivers should follow can be found on The Highway Code
- pedestrian island
- zebra crossing
- pelican crossing
- puffin crossing
- pedestrian signals at traffic lights the side of the road
- subway or footbridge
School Crossing Patrol (lollipop person)
This is a person who wears a special uniform and helps you cross the road by holding up a sign to stop traffic.
- use the lollipop person to cross the road
- wait on the pavement until the lollipop person has stopped the traffic
- only cross when the lollipop person tells you to cross
- only cross in front of the lollipop person
- walk directly across the road, do not run
Drivers can help
- park away from the crossing
- keep the area around the crossing clear
Stop means Stop
School crossing patrols are not just for children. A lollipop person can assist anyone who seeks their help in crossing the road.
If you do not stop possible penalties include:
- a fine of up to £1000
- three penalty points
- disqualification
As a driver or cyclist you should stop a safe distance from the crossing patrol and only move off until the school crossing patrol officer is back on the pavement.
It is an offence under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 if you do not stop when signalled to do so by a school crossing patrol officer.
Pre-school children, nursery, reception
Road Safety Toolbox
Loaned to schools to help teach their Nursery/Reception children road safety skills. Schools use the resources in different ways including role play, story time and art.
"The toolbox was excellent and used by our reception class. They thoroughly enjoyed it, some pretended to be cars and the others showed how to cross the road safely."
"Classes included road safety in their lesson plans and spent a lesson using the equipment in the playground. Using the zebra crossing, 'holding hands', looking left and right."
Teddy Takes a Tumble
A story about Teddy and his car journey. It highlights the importance of using the correct child car seat and wearing a seatbelt when travelling in a car. Led by the Safe and Sustainable Travel Team.
Key Stage 1
Led by the Safe & Sustainable Travel Team
Year 1
Holding Hands A story followed by short activity and song related to the importance of holding hands when near or close to traffic.
Year 2
Around My School I Saw
This is a practical activity looking at the environment within the street. This activity introduces the environment within the street, for example the pavement, kerb, roads, street furniture, signage and traffic.
Be Seen Be Bright
Children learn about the importance of being seen when they are out and about using reflective and fluorescent clothes and materials.
Key Stage 2
Led by the Safe & Sustainable Travel Team
Year 3
Sequencing
This activity is about looking at behaviours that contain a sequence of actions in order to help children go about everyday activities such as counting, getting dressed, cleaning their teeth.
When it comes to keeping ourselves safe on the road, missing a key element could result in injury.
Children take part in looking at a variety of sequences including the Green Cross Code and crossing between parked cars.
Key safety areas will be raised for discussion including behaviour, distractions, concentration of drivers and pedestrians, the wearing of seat belts, crossing roads, speed and stopping distances.
Year 4
Safer Moves Practical Pedestrian Training Programme
This is a four part practical pedestrian training programme.
Session 1: Children will investigate the road layout outside of their school and discuss examples of safer and unsafe places.
Session 2: A safer way to cross the road. Practical Pedestrian Training where children will practice and discuss crossing the roads using safer places close to school (a puffin, pelican, or zebra crossing).
Session 3: Children design a poster or a leaflet that explains key road safety messages they have learnt for younger children.
Session 4: Children will recap what they have learned through activities and discussion.
Year 5
Just a Journey
A classroom based, interactive lesson where children discuss a road crash involving a family and a pedestrian.
Key safety areas are raised for discussion including behaviour, distractions (music and mobile phones), concentration of drivers and pedestrians, the wearing of seat belts, crossing roads, speed and stopping distances.
Year 6
Design a Traffic Safety Scheme
This is a classroom based activity based on the scenario of a local road injury problem and a map.
Working in groups children are given a budget to spend and examples of street furniture. They are tasked with implementing a Traffic Safety Scheme that will help reduce further incidents to make the area safer for pedestrians and other road users.
If your school is interested in these sessions please contact the Safe & Sustainable Travel Team at road.safety@barnet.gov.uk
Stepping Up!
Stepping up! Is a free booklet for year 6 children with lots of tips and advice for when they start travelling to secondary school and enter the real world of independent travel. The booklet provides information on independent travel, how to plan a journey, behaviour on public transport… and more!
Please contact road.safety@barnet.gov.uk for more information.
Junior Travel Ambassadors
Two Year 5 or Year 6 pupils can become a Junior Travel Ambassador (JTA) at the start of each academic year.
Their role will be to promote safer and sustainable travel in their school and will be given resources to help them with this. To register your pupils as JTAs, please email the Safe and Sustainable Travel Team at schooltravelplans@barnet.gov.uk
Key Stage 3
Youth Travel Ambassadors (YTA)
YTA is a student-led project for secondary school age students to encourage active travel, responsible travel and road safety in the school community. Projects can include anything from films and workshops to walking and cycling challenges.
YTA can be delivered as part of Citizenship, PSHE, Enrichment or an after school session.
The sessions are delivered by a coordinator from TFL and / or the borough’s Safe and Sustainable Travel Team. A member of school staff is required to oversee the project from the school’s perspective.
Students develop teamwork, leadership, presentation and project management and the school could be awarded up to £250 seed funding to get their project started. A range of YTA student projects can be viewed on the TFL YouTube Channel: