Today, I was pleased to join students and staff from Miandetta Primary School to talk about pedestrian safety in the lead up to Walk Safely to School Day this Friday, 20 May.
Now in its 23rd year, National Walk Safely to School Day is an annual event that raises awareness through encouraging Primary School children to walk and commute safely to school.
Many of our schools will be participating across the State and I congratulate them all in helping to promote not only important road safety messages, but also helping to promote the associated health benefits of walking to school.
The initiative is a great way to develop exercise routines in children, promote improved lifestyles, decrease dependency on cars and, most importantly, familiarise children with important road safety rules.
Rules to teach children include Stop! Look! Listen! Think! Every time you cross the road, hold a grown-up's hand to cross the road and always use a safe place to cross the road.
Children are particularly at risk of pedestrian incidents because they are less visible to drivers, so it is essential we continue to teach and remind them how to be safe when on or near roads and traffic.
I encourage all children and their families to safely take part in this important day.
More Media Releases from Roger Jaensch
More Media Releases from the Minister for Education, Children and Youth