Walking safely to and from school
Walking to and from school is a great way for you and your children to stay healthy and active.
Parents and carers are responsible for their child’s safety when travelling to and from school. The department encourages all children and their families to be safe active travellers.
Benefits of walking to and from school
Walking together is a great way to:
- be physically active
- talk and spend time with your child
- teach and practise safe pedestrian behaviours
- reduce traffic congestion
- reduce your carbon footprint.
Keep them safe
Research shows that many children and young people like to walk or ride to school. They enjoy this time for being social, independent and outdoors.
Help them keep safe by modelling and teaching good road user behaviours from a young age.
- Until they are at least 8 years old always hold your child's hand when walking on the footpath, in the car park and when crossing the road.
- When your children are between 8 and 10 years old, supervise them very closely when they are near traffic and crossing the road.
For all children, including older ones (age 11 and above) regularly remind them to be safe and responsible pedestrians by:
- sharing the footpath and walking on the left
- looking out for vehicles entering or leaving driveways
- putting mobile phones and earphones away, so you or your children are not distracted by music, texting, emailing or searching the internet when walking
- using safe places to cross such as pedestrian crossings, traffic lights or a school crossing, if available.
- showing respect to other pedestrians.
Walking school 'bus'
A walking school 'bus' is a group of primary school children who walk to and from school along a set route, accompanied by supervising adults.
One adult ‘drives’ at the front of the 'bus' while the other adult supervises at the rear of the 'bus'. The walking school bus picks up passengers along the way to and from school.
If your school community is interested in implementing a walking school bus, please read these key considerations and contact your Road Safety Education Officer to find out more.