Traffic Rules for Kids: A Beginner’s Guide to Road Safety in India

Introduction

There are several important life skills that kids can start learning to become more independent and take care of their well-being. Out of these life skills, one of the most important ones is knowledge about traffic and road safety rules. These are a set of rules that guide one’s behavior while walking or driving on a road. It can help in avoiding accidents and traffic jams.

You can start educating your child about road safety rules by introducing some age-appropriate road safety measures. Kids may spend a lot of time outdoors, and it's not practically possible for parents to be around every time. So, to ensure that the child remains safe in the absence of parents, you can start by teaching your child some beginner-friendly road safety rules. Slowly, you may introduce other rules to enhance their knowledge and safety.

7 Basic Road Safety Rules for Beginners

In simple words, road safety rules can be defined as a set of rules and regulations that must be followed by everyone using roads. These are in adherence with the government safety norms and have been formulated with the security of pedestrians as well as vehicles in mind. Here are some of the top basic road safety rules you can teach your child.

• Use Pedestrian Crossing

A pedestrian area is a special area designed for people who are walking on the road. It is the rightful place for anyone not using vehicles, and it is supposed to be a safe space for your child to cross the road comfortably. In case your child has to cross the road on their own, you may educate them about the importance of using a zebra crossing or a pedestrian crossing and not crossing the road by walking randomly.

• Learn Different Signs

While walking on the road, your child can see different types of signs attached to the roadside or in other corners of the road. Each of these signs carries an autonomous meaning that a child must be able to decipher to stay safe on the road. Some of the most common signs your child might see while walking on the road may include a no-entry sign, a U-turn sign, and a stop sign. As your child begins to develop a basic understanding of these signs, you may also introduce them to other signs.

• Hold Hands While Crossing the Road

While crossing the road, kids must hold hands with each other or with an older person. This is because young kids may not understand when to cross the road exactly. This may include the inability to calculate the speed and distance of a vehicle or have fully developed peripheral vision to assess the direction of all the vehicles running on the road. This is specifically applicable for kids under 10 years of age.

• Refer to the Traffic Light

Understanding traffic lights is one of the basic prerequisites for a child to learn about road safety. There are three primary colors in a traffic light: red, green, and orange. Each of these lights serves a specific purpose. When the traffic light turns red, one has to wait. When it turns orange, it signals everyone to get ready to cross the road. As soon as the traffic light turns green, one can start crossing the road before it turns red again.

• Avoid Running On the Road

While trying to cross a road, one has to ensure that they're not running or walking too fast, as it can be dangerous. There is a high risk of falling while running and getting injured. Secondly, while running, one may not be able to assess or detect another vehicle coming from any direction. Also, factors may enhance the risk of accidents or fatal injuries. To avoid such mishaps, kids must be educated about crossing the road while walking patiently.

• Be Careful Around Parking Areas

Parking areas are specific places where people can park their cars. However, these areas are generally quite busy as people park their cars in various slots, and some may restart their cars to get out of the parking area. While passing through such a parking space, a child must be as attentive as possible. This is because one may not notice a child while reversing or trying to move the car in a different direction. To avoid any collision or unwanted injuries, kids should be attentive and walk carefully when crossing in front of a parked car.

• Don’t Use Your Phone on the Streets

While walking down the street, a child needs to give all their attention to their surroundings. If a child is continuously using their phone, they may get distracted and not notice vehicles running around them. All of this can enhance the chances of accidents or a lack of balance or mobility among kids. Hence, you may educate your child about the importance of keeping their phone aside and being conscious while walking on busy streets and crossing roads.

Conclusion

While introducing road safety to your child may seem a bit complicated at first, it can get a lot simpler through systematic learning. Additionally, your child needs to become a more responsible adult and look after their safety.