Dear Parent,
This task is designed for you to work alongside and complete with your child/children in relation to a key road safety issue. The focus is “Hazards”. A hazard is a danger and it is something we may come across when we are out walking or cycling. Some hazards are there all the time, such as a lamp-post, litter bin, electrical box, guard rail or a bad bend in the road. These are permanent hazards. Other hazards may only be there for a while such as traffic cones, mobile traffic sign, wheelie bin or bad weather. These are temporary hazards. In either case, hazards may reduce the space for walking/cycling and may even force pedestrians onto the road to pass by. They may also distract us, limit our vision or even affect our ability to hear. It is important to be alert at all times to help prevent injury and to keep safe. There are also two follow up activities (temporary or permanent/spot the hazards) which can be printed out and completed by your child.
Hazards (8-11 year olds) – Task
When you are taking your child/children out walking or cycling, why not play a game of “Spot the Hazard!” Ask your child/children to look out for hazards along your route. When they spot one you could ask the following;
- Why do you think this is a hazard?
- Is this hazard a permanent or temporary hazard?
- What could you do to make sure the hazard doesn’t harm you?
You could also discuss what other types of hazards they may come across at different times, for example;
Ø Rainy weather might mean people are wearing a coat with a hood. This will make it more difficult for them to see or hear especially when they are crossing the road.
Ø When the sun is rising/setting this can cause glare on windscreens and spectacles making it more difficult to see other road users. This could easily result in a collision.
Ø A pothole might cause a cyclist to wobble or fall off their bike.
Ø A car parked up on a footpath may result in less room for people/prams to pass and may mean that someone has to go out on the road to get past.
Ø Windy weather could mean that branches or other debris is lying on the footpath and if you are not paying attention you may trip.
Ø Bin day means that wheelie bins are out on the footpaths and it may be more difficult to see cars coming out of driveways. Wheelie bins also reduce the space on the footpath for pedestrians.
Ø Icy/snowy weather may make footpaths more dangerous for walkers and may mean that vehicles take a longer time to stop safely. Be especially aware of this when using pedestrian crossings.
Ø People working eg cutting a hedge, may mean that you have very little room to pass and people can be easily distracted by watching what the working people are doing rather than where they are walking.
For further information, why not have a look at the following resources to assist you in teaching your child how to use our roads safely and effectively as they develop:
Watch the following short video: https://youtu.be/-HlOJqqL56U
