Top tips for keeping kids road safe

It’s never too early to start teaching kids about road safety.

Traffic is one of the most dangerous things that young children will come across in their everyday life. They will need your help to take extra care around roads and traffic.

The key reasons for this are because:

  • Kids don’t always understand what is happening around them
  • Kids hearing is not fully developed
  • Kids can’t properly judge the speed of cars

Here are some tips to keep them safe:

  1. Set a good example
    Kids learn road safety habits by watching and copying others. So, make sure you wear your seatbelt, obey road rules and drive safely!
  1. Talk with your child about roads, signs and traffic
    This will help them to understand road safety and encourage them to learn. You can talk about the colours and shapes on the road signs, or the markings on the roads. Also chat about the different colours of the traffic lights. What should a car do if the light is red?  
  1. Cross the road at the traffic lights or pedestrian crossing
    You can chat to your kids about where and how to cross the road safely. Let them help in making the decision to cross.

Remember to stop, look, listen and think before crossing the road. Hold their hand and do it together!

  1. Get out on the safer side of the car
    Teach your kids to hop out of the car from the passenger side and onto the footpath. Remember to let them know they need to wait for you to join them.
  1. Encourage children to wear bright clothing
    Most kids love a burst of colour! What if wearing something bright made them easier to see? That’s a big win! Dressing kids in bright clothing will make them stand out to drivers.
  1. Children should always wear a proper child restraint
    If travelling by car, make sure your child is wearing an approved restraint for their age and size. Not sure what your child should be wearing?
    Take a look at the Car Seat Safety booklet for more information.
  1. Park on the same side as the school bus
    When dropping off or picking up children from the school bus, make sure you park on the same side of the road. This means your child will not need to cross a road, which might be busy.

Remember – road safety is everyone’s responsibility!