Back in the limelight, a new study unveiled an alarming statistic – around 20% of German teenagers feel insecure while trekking to school. This issue caught the attention of three organizations, leading them to advocate for changes. Their suggestions included reducing speeds on school commute roads and bolstering supervision, as well as encouraging kids to walk or bike to school, initially with an adult, then in groups with friends. They urged parents to cut back on school-run taxis.
As the summer holidays come to an end in various German states and first-graders gear up for daily school trips, a research institution named Verian conducted an online poll among 3218 kids and adolescents aged 10 to 17. The results showed that while 56% of kids felt secure during their commute, an unsettling 18% admitted to feeling less secure or not secure at all. This figure escalates to 24% in cities with over 100,000 inhabitants.
Given these findings, it's crucial to enhance safety in heavily populated cities like Germany, where 24% of children admitted to feeling uneasy during their school commute. In an attempt to address this, parents can embrace various measures:
- Mastering school bus regulations: Parents should familiarize themselves with school bus rules, such as the requirement for school buses to have a "Schulbus" sign with a yellow background and four-way hazard lights during loading and unloading.
- Supervising school bus safety: Checking if the school bus is equipped with safety features like GPS tracking, speed governors, and emergency exits can help ensure the safety of your kids.
- Endorsing safe behavior: Teaching children safe habits, like not crossing the road until the bus has completely stopped and avoiding talking to strangers, is essential.
- Supporting public transportation: Familiarizing children with public transportation rules and schedules, or even contributing to the cost of a season ticket, can make commuting safer and easier.
- Encouraging active travel: If possible, motivate children to use bicycles or walk to school, which can be a healthy and secure option, provided they wear proper safety gear.
- Staying informed: Keeping connected with the school and local authorities regarding safety concerns or incidents is vital for prompt action and ensuring measures are implemented.
- Boosting confidence: Talking to your child about their feelings, listening to their concerns, and regularly checking in with them about their commute can help build trust and increase their confidence.
By implementing these strategies, parents can significantly improve school commuting safety and bolster children's confidence in addressing the concern of nearly one-fifth of German youngsters expressing feelings of insecurity while commuting to school.
