Did you know that more than 1.3 million people die on the world’s roads every year?

Teaching road safety is vitally important at all ages with children at serious risk of road traffic incidents if they aren’t taught properly. That’s why many schools are opting to incorporate it into the school curriculum and taking advantage of the fantastic resources available from charities, such as Brake and Think! Road Safety.

These organisations provide extensive advice, tips and tricks, lesson plans, video clips and games – all great for the classroom. But there are many other creative ways you can ensure your pupils understand how to be safe around road traffic.

Here we look at just a few of them:

  1. Sign up to Road Safety Week

The aim of Road Safety Week – the UK’s biggest road safety event – is to inspire thousands of schools, nurseries, organisations and community groups to work together and take action on road safety. Brake has been raising awareness about road safety, and promoting steps that everyone can take to stop needless deaths and injuries, every year since 1997. The theme for this Road Safety Week (16 – 22 November) was NO NEED TO SPEED.

If your school isn’t yet taking part in this annual event, you can sign up here. Brake will then send you a free action pack to help you run your Road Safety Week activities.

  1. Hold road safety assemblies

In most schools, students assemble at the beginning of the school day (usually in the school hall) where news, announcements and instructions are given.

A great way to engage kids is to hold a whole-school assembly with a road safety theme. There are various topics you can cover, i.e. crossing roads, holding hands, speeding, seat belts, etc. You might also choose to throw in a quiz at the end to test their knowledge – and see who has had their Weetabix!

  1. Use thermoplastic road markings

A key thing about teaching road safety is to allow students to implement their learning outside the classroom. And we have just the solution.

Thermoplastic markings make a fantastic addition to playgrounds. They transform tired play areas into colourful play towns with busy roadways. The great thing is, pupils can go around on their bikes, trikes and scooters in an orderly way, letting their imagination run free. Whilst doing so, they develop skills which are essential for understanding the principles of road safety. For example, when crossing the road, they can put into practice what they have learnt in the classroom and from assemblies – making sure they look both ways before stepping out.

School playground equipment doesn’t just have to be exhilarating and oodles of fun for children of all ages…it can be educational too.

So, if you’re looking for creative ways to teach road safety, be sure to take a look at our fantastic range of playground equipment and thermoplastic line markings here at Setter Play. We provide a selection of roadways and play towns, sports lines and activity lines.

For more tips on teaching road safety to pupils, or to chat with a member of the team about our school playground equipment, call 01462 817 538 today