Reason 1:     Nearly one in every eight road deaths in South Australia is a pedestrian. In addition to fatalities there are on average just under 100 pedestrians seriously injured as well as many more who receive minor injuries each year.

Reason 2:     Your child will learn about pedestrian safety by watching you, so use safe behaviour around cars, roads, footpaths and car parks. Always stop, look, listen and think before crossing a road, and use pedestrian crossings wherever possible. Always cross at the safest point, even if you have to walk further out of your way and if you’re crossing at the lights, wait for the green man!

Reason 3:     Queensland’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety recently conducted an Australia-wide survey of parents focused on keeping kids safe around roads and cars. They found until the age of NINE, children’s perceptual and cognitive abilities are not sufficiently developed to enable them to make sound judgements when they are crossing roads. Holding hands with your children is the best way to keep them safe around a school crossing.

Reason 4:    The Australian Road Rules state if you are within 20 metres of a crossing (including a school crossing) you must use that crossing to walk from one side of the road to the other.

And the other 107 reasons?  107 is the number of dollars an expiation notice (fine) will cost you if you are detected  breaching the above Australian Road Rule. So keep an eye out for any hazards and keep holding hands until you’re all safely in the school yard or in the car.

This article has been prepared by A/Sgt Nigel ALLEN of the Road Safety Section, South Australia Police. If parents have any questions about school crossings please contact the Road Safety Section on the telephone number 82076586.