Staying Safe on the Road

At Manuden Primary School, we want every child to develop the knowledge, confidence and habits they need to travel safely.

Road safety is a shared responsibility between children, families, school and the wider community. Whether children walk, cycle, scoot or travel by car, developing safe habits from an early age is important.

Our approach reflects our school vision:

Growing Hearts • Growing Minds • Growing Dreams

Stop, Look, Listen, Think

Children should be taught to use the Green Cross Code when crossing roads:

STOP – find a safe place to cross and stop before reaching the kerb.

LOOK – look carefully in all directions for traffic.

LISTEN – listen for vehicles that may be approaching.

THINK – make sure it is safe before crossing and continue looking and listening while crossing.

The Highway Code advises that children should learn the Green Cross Code and that adults should model it consistently when walking with them.

Younger Children

Young children should be closely supervised near roads.

Parents and carers should:

• hold younger children's hands when walking near or crossing roads;
• keep children on the side of the pavement away from traffic where possible;
• choose safe places to cross;
• avoid crossing between parked vehicles where possible;
• help children understand the difference between the pavement, kerb and road; and
• model safe road-crossing behaviour themselves.

The Highway Code specifically advises that young children should not be alone on pavements or roads until they are able to understand and use road-safety rules safely.

Becoming More Independent

As children get older, they begin to make more independent decisions about travelling.

Before allowing a child to travel independently, families should consider whether they can:

• recognise safe and unsafe places to cross;
• judge traffic confidently;
• cope with parked vehicles and junctions;
• resist distractions from friends or mobile devices;
• follow an agreed route; and
• know what to do if something unexpected happens.

There is no single age at which every child is ready to travel independently. Confidence, maturity, route and traffic conditions all need to be considered.

THINK! provides specific resources for children aged 7–12 about safer journeys, crossing roads and becoming more independent.

Walking to School

Walking can be a healthy and enjoyable way to travel to school.

When walking:

• use the pavement where one is available;
• remain alert to vehicles entering or leaving driveways;
• cross at a safe location with a clear view;
• avoid unnecessary distractions;
• wear bright or reflective clothing when visibility is poor; and
• take extra care around parked vehicles and junctions.

Where there is no pavement, the Highway Code advises pedestrians to normally walk on the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic and to take particular care on narrow roads or in poor visibility.

Cycling and Scooting

Cycling and scooting can help children become active and increasingly independent travellers.

Children should:

• use equipment that is safe and in good condition;
• wear appropriate protective equipment, including a correctly fitted cycle helmet;
• remain aware of pedestrians and other road users;
• slow down around entrances, junctions and busy areas;
• avoid using headphones or devices that reduce awareness; and
• only cycle on roads when they have the necessary skills, confidence and adult permission.

Families can find information about cycle training through Bikeability and Essex County Council. Essex offers Bikeability cycle training for school-age children at a range of levels.

Travelling by Car

Children must travel using the appropriate seat belt or child restraint.

In most circumstances, children must use a suitable child car seat until they are either:

12 years old, or
135cm tall,

whichever comes first.

After that, they must use a seat belt. Drivers are responsible for ensuring children under 14 are correctly restrained.

Children should also be encouraged to:

• enter and leave vehicles from the pavement side where possible;
• remain seated and belted throughout the journey;
• avoid distracting the driver; and
• wait until the vehicle has stopped safely before getting out.

Parking Around School

The beginning and end of the school day can be particularly busy.

We ask all families and visitors to help keep children safe by:

• parking legally and considerately;
• keeping entrances, driveways and junctions clear;
• avoiding parking in a way that forces pedestrians into the road;
• leaving sufficient visibility for children and drivers;
• never stopping where this would create a danger to other road users; and
• driving slowly and cautiously near the school.

Even when running late, children's safety must come before convenience.

Be Bright, Be Seen

Children can be much harder for drivers to see during poor weather, darker mornings and winter afternoons.

The Highway Code recommends wearing or carrying light-coloured, bright or fluorescent materials in poor daylight and reflective materials when it is dark.

We encourage families to consider visibility when choosing coats, bags, cycling equipment and accessories during darker months.

Road Safety Learning

Road safety is most effective when children have opportunities to practise skills as well as talk about them.

The Department for Transport's THINK! programme provides age-appropriate resources covering topics such as:

• Stop, Look, Listen, Think;
• choosing safer places to cross;
• being visible;
• walking safely with adults;
• travelling safely as a passenger;
• cycling and scooting;
• planning safer journeys; and
• preparing for greater independence.

THINK! provides separate resources for younger children and pupils aged 7–12.

Road Safety in Essex

The Safer Essex Roads Partnership provides advice for parents, children, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

It also provides road-safety education and resources for schools across Essex.

Useful Resources

THINK! – Road Safety Education Resources
Free road-safety activities and learning resources for children and families.

THINK! – Tales of the Road
An interactive resource helping children learn about safer travel and road awareness.

Safer Essex Roads Partnership – Parents and Children
Local road-safety advice for Essex families.

The Highway Code – Rules for Pedestrians
Official guidance for pedestrians, including the Green Cross Code.

GOV.UK – Child Car Seats
Current legal requirements for child car seats and restraints.

Essex Bikeability
Information about cycle training for children.

Working Together

Adults are children's most important road-safety role models.

Children learn not only from what adults tell them, but from what they see adults doing. Taking the time to cross safely, wear seat belts, park considerately and follow road rules helps children develop habits that can stay with them throughout their lives.

Growing Hearts • Growing Minds • Growing Dreams