So, it turns out that around one-fifth of German teenagers between the ages of 10 and 17 express feelings of insecurity while commuting to school. This findings were revealed in a recent study conducted by a research institution named Verian, which polled over 3200 young people across the nation.
The study found that despite 56% of students feeling secure during their commute, a significant number of 18% acknowledged feeling less secure or completely uneasy. This percentage increases to 24% in cities with over 100,000 inhabitants.
In response to these findings, several measures are being taken to improve safety in heavily populated cities. For instance, traffic law in Germany gives traffic priority to school buses during loading and unloading, and buses with standing passengers are limited to 60 kilometers per hour. Dedicated bus lanes are also common in larger cities, allowing buses to move off first from traffic lights before other traffic is shown a green light. New buses used for school routes are required to have seat belts and safety features like compartmentalization.
However, parents also play a crucial role in boosting their children's self-confidence during school commutes. Organizations have suggested that parents encourage their kids to undertake "personal school journeys" on foot or by bicycle, initially with an adult present and later in groups with friends. Parents are also urged to "ditch the school run taxi more frequently."
As the summer vacations come to an end and first-graders begin their daily school commutes, it's crucial to pay attention to the safety and well-being of our young people. By implementing measures like traffic priority for school buses, speed limits, and dedicated bus lanes, and encouraging parents to be involved in their children's school commute, we can work towards creating a safer and more secure environment for our teenagers.
