6 Essential Road Safety Rules Every Student Must Follow

Introduction

Making kids learn necessary life skills from an early age can help them become more confident and independent as individuals. Out of the many learnings in life, street smartness is very important. It can help children deal with real-world and practical problems on their own and devise spontaneous solutions. One of the many components of street smartness is understanding road safety rules and following them consciously.

With the growing amount of traffic and bustling streets, your child needs to know how and when to take the road. Other than this, understanding traffic signals, pedestrians, and cycling on the right side of the road may keep your child safe while also making them more independent. Hence, parents can start teaching kids important road safety rules to make them responsible individuals and ensure their safety.

6 Essential Road Safety Rules for Kids

A great way to initiate your child's road safety learning is to first introduce easier rules to them. Then you can slowly start introducing more complex rules to them to further their understanding. Here is a set of eight essential safety rules that you may teach your child.

• Follow Road Signs

One of the first lessons to introduce to your child is to always pay attention to road signs. There are several road signs fixed at various checkpoints on the road. Each of these signs has a different meaning and purpose. Some of the basic signs may include a speed sign which signifies the maximum speed each vehicle is allowed to have while driving on a particular road. Similarly, there is a no entry sign, which means that the path is closed, and one is not supposed to cross that particular area. Additionally, a pedestrian crossing sign signifies that it's specifically for people walking, which is why other vehicles have to slow down their pace and let those people cross.

• Pay Attention to Traffic Signals

Traffic signals can be an amusing road safety lesson for kids, and it's also crucial for them to learn at an early age. A traffic signal has three lights. Each of these lights has a specific meaning. The red light, for instance, tells the vehicles to stop. The yellow light signifies the vehicles to get ready, and the green light signifies the vehicles to start moving and cross the road. When a child knows what each of these traffic lights means, it might make it easier for them to cross the road and make decisions that keep them safe while walking on the road.

• Hold Hands While Crossing Road

Another important rule for kids to remember is to always hold their elder’s hand while crossing the road. Initially, a child may not be able to analyze when to cross the road which is why having an elder person by their side can help them a lot. Directly running away on roads is not at all safe and can lead to unwanted consequences. Additionally, the child must know how to look in all directions before crossing the road for everyone's safety. This is a more prudent way of road crossing than just abruptly crossing the road without looking anywhere.

• Use Pedestrian Crossing

Pedestrian crossings are specifically meant for people walking on a busy road. It is a safer way of crossing the road and kids should be aware of it. Zebra crossing is a type of pedestrian crossing that kids can recognize because of its distinctive black and white stripes. Kids can walk on the zebra crossing while walking on a busy road. However, it is important to keep a check on the traffic from both sides and wait for the cars to stop as per the signal lights. One is not allowed to walk on zebra crossings randomly, without keeping a check on the traffic lights as it can be dangerous.

• Wear Reflective Gears During Night

At night, walking on the road can be a bit different from the daytime because of the lack of visibility and light. In such a scenario, the vehicles running on the road may not be able to see kids and other people walking along the roadside. Hence, it is always better to wear reflective gears like shoes, a neon watch, or anything visible from a distance. This may help the other vehicles spot you from a distance and reduce the risk of collisions.

• Walk on the Sidewalks

While walking on the street, when you do not want to cross the road, it is always better to walk on the sidewalk. These are specific pavements meant for people who are not driving a vehicle and simply walk on their feet. Regular vehicles like cars and bikes are not allowed on these pavements, which makes it safer for people to walk. Children can easily walk on these pavements.

Conclusion

Making a child aware of road safety is one of the initial steps towards making them a responsible citizen who cares about their own safety and the safety of others. Parents can have an impactful influence on their children's minds and make them learn road safety rules to instill lifelong lessons of responsibility and accountability.