Teaching Road Safety in Primary Schools

Road safety is one of the most essential lessons that young people must learn. Children can be curious of but also distracted around roads, so teaching them how to navigate roads safely gives them the knowledge they need to avoid accidents and confidently cross streets.

Here we will explore effective methods for teaching road safety, including looking at using a zebra crossing and understanding the difference between pelican and puffin crossings. Whether you are gearing up for Road Safety Week on 17^th – 23^rd November or planning daily lessons, this guide will offer practical ideas, road safety facts, and engaging activities to help keep your students safe. Also keep an eye out for CGP+ activities to use alongside these ideas.
 

Key Road Safety Rules

A great start is by introducing your class to basic road safety rules:

1. Stop, Look, Listen, Think – Emphasize the importance of stopping at the curb, looking both ways, listening for oncoming traffic, and thinking before they cross the road.
2. Using Road Safety Signs – Familiarise students with road safety signs like speed limits, pedestrian crossings, and traffic lights, so they can better understand how these signs contribute to safety.
3. Stay on the Pavement – Encourage students to always walk on the pavement, away from the road, and use pedestrian crossings when available.
4. Stopping Distractions – with gadgets and devices come distractions, so it’s also important for pedestrians to put away their phones and take out their headphones so their whole focus is on the road.

 

Zebra Crossings

Teaching children how to use zebra crossings effectively is important. These are marked by white stripes on the road and give pedestrians the right of way. Before crossing, remind students to use the Stop, Look, Listen method and ensure that all cars have come to a complete stop before stepping onto the road. It’s also good to give a little wave to say thank you for stopping.
 

Pelican vs. Puffin Crossings

Pelican crossings are pedestrian-controlled crossings where a button press lets the traffic lights know you want to cross, allowing people across when the green man appears. These crossings have a flashing amber phase, during which cars must give way if pedestrians are crossing. Some also beep when it is safe to cross.

Did you know? Most pelican crossings have a small rotating cone just under the button which spins when it is safe to cross. This is to help blind and partially sighted people cross the road.

Puffin crossings are a more recent development and are considered safer. They use sensors to detect when pedestrians are still on the crossing, holding the red light for vehicles until the crossing is clear.
 

Road Safety Activity Ideas

Here are some great ideas for covering road safety in the classroom:

• You could create a road safety poster, encouraging students to think what would make their poster most effective. They could help to create a success criteria with important key words to include like “Stop, Look, Listen”, “Use the Zebra Crossing,” or “Cross at the Traffic Lights”. They could even create their own road safety mascot.
• Use cameras to create a road safety video or even a song or rap!
• Set up a mock road in the playground, complete with toy cars, pedestrian crossings, and traffic lights. Have children take turns acting as drivers and pedestrians to practice safely crossing the road. Role-playing scenarios like crossing at a zebra crossing or waiting for the green light at a pelican crossing can help reinforce their understanding.
• Take a trip out in your local area for an interactive quiz. You could ask questions about the various spots where people have to make sure they are safe and ask how they would go about doing this.
• Back in the classroom, you could use this worksheet where pupils have to plan an assembly on road safety for younger pupils. You could also use this worksheet to test children’s understanding of potential road hazards.

 

Road Safety Facts for Kids

Here are some facts you might like to share with your class to reinforce how important road safety is:

• A pedestrian is injured in a road accident every 12 minutes globally.
• Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of a serious head injury by up to 70%.
• Pedestrians are at a higher risk in the dark, so wearing bright or reflective clothing can make a big difference.
• Have you ever noticed the yellow bumpy floor at a crossing? This is there to let blind and partially sighted people know that they are close to the edge of the pavement and at a safe place to cross!

Life-Long Safe Road Habits

Teaching road safety is not just about one-off lessons; it’s about building life-long habits that will protect children throughout their lives. By incorporating fun, interactive road safety activities, road safety can be an engaging and essential part of their learning experience.
 

I have been a teacher for nearly 12 years, working in South East London primary schools. For the last 6 years, I’ve worked in an independent prep school in Kent. I’ve taught all the way from EYFS to Year 6, as well as teaching music and drama. Before teaching, I worked in London’s West End as a sound technician in shows like The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia and The Lion King. I’ve also performed in smaller local productions, most recently in Legally Blonde. As well as full time teaching, I also direct and choreograph my school’s annual Year 6 Leavers’ Show to sell-out crowds, combining my two passions: musical theatre and teaching!

To see resources written by Kirsty, click here.