Safety tips for the ‘walking bus’ run

Want to create a walking bus to get your child and a few of their class mates to school on time? That’s not such a bad idea. A walking bus is a healthier alternative to driving, it’ll reduce fuel costs and ease congestion outside the school gates as well. Get together with some of the other parents and create a new walk to school routine. Walking buses are becoming a familiar site around the country, just pay close attention to these safety points before you set off in the morning. Be safe, be seen – Good visibility is essential if you form a walking bus, ask adults and children to wear hi visibility tabards when they take part in the walk. Day-Glo yellow fluorescent vests are a good option and that’s something we have in stock at Westfield. Get noticed by traffic, stand out as you walk to school and you reduce the chances of any members of the group being involved in an incident. Buddy up – Get the children to walk in pairs, ask them to hold hands and form a tightly-knit pack. Take the safest route – Carefully plan the route to school to avoid busy traffic if you can. Use parks as cut-throughs, stick to pedestrian paths where possible, reduce the amount of contact you have with cars and other vehicles as much as possible. Find safe places to cross - Use pedestrian crossings and avoid crossing at junctions, if you have to cross the road aim to do this half way along. Stop at the edge of the kerb, look to the left, the right and to the left again, wait until the coast is clear before you start to cross the road and keep looking and listening at all times until you reach the other side. Wait until cars have stopped – When you are crossing the road at pedestrian lights check to see the traffic has stopped before you step off the kerb. All it takes is for one absent-minded motorist to fail to stop and you’ll have a horrible situation on your hands. A walking bus is a great way to get to and from school, just play it safe and enjoy this daily exercise.

Article Posted: 07/04/2014 08:37:36