This week is the Third UN Global Road Safety Week - #SaveKidsLives.

Injuries as a result of road accidents are the leading cause of death for young people. Equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to keep them safe around and on the road is essential and is included in the mandatory Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) syllabus.

The K-Year 6 syllabus deals with pedestrian and passenger safety and safety on wheels. Students learn to:

• describe safe travel practise 
• recognise safe behaviour
• propose strategies to keep them safe on and around the road
• plan to take responsibility for their own and others' safety

In the Year 7-10 syllabus, students explore:

• road safety statistics
• risk factors in a range of road environments
• responsible driver and passenger behaviour
• consequences of unsafe road-use behaviour
• major causes of road and traffic related injuries
• first aid management of road injury
• skills and attitudes that support safe behaviour
• road rules and laws

To complement the curriculum, schools also run their own road safety education programs in Years 11-12. Department of Education schools use the Crossroads programs. Catholic and Independent schools usually address it in their pastoral care or wellbeing programs.

To raise awareness of road safety and improve students’ physical activity levels, schools can participate in the National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 22 May.

For more information relating to road safety, visit:

NSW Centre for Road Safety

Safety around schools

Plan B

You’re in our sights

Children and road safety

Mobile phone use and road use

Speed and the roads

Road safety in the classroom

Association of Independent Schools – Road Safety Education

For more information, contact:
Karen Ingram
Inspector, PDHPE
karen.ingram@bostes.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367-8150