Start of the “Safe Route to School” campaign in the district of Reutlingen – Blue Light News – Reutlinger General-Anzeiger

REUTLINGEN. As part of the “Safe Route to School” campaign, the Reutlingen Police Headquarters will be more active around schools in the districts of Reutlingen, Esslingen, Tübingen and Zollernalb at the start of the school year starting next week.

In cooperation with the law enforcement services of the municipalities and the district offices, colleagues from the police stations, the traffic police and the Prevention Department of the Police Headquarters will once again implement a broad package of measures with their partners to make the journey to school safer for children.

The focus is on raising awareness among all road users. However, intensive traffic monitoring at selected locations is also particularly important. In addition, the Prevention Department supports and advises schools outside of the trust in the planning and implementation of prevention projects, such as school bus training.

The “Safe Route to School” campaign is not only aimed at road users who happen to cross a school route. In the past, incorrect behavior by schoolchildren and their parents has also repeatedly led to dangerous situations or even traffic accidents. The range of possible causes of accidents is wide. Drivers who drive too fast or do not exercise the necessary care at pedestrian crossings. Children who are not yet able to assess the dangers in road traffic and therefore behave incorrectly in certain situations. Parents who do not properly secure their children in vehicles or who use so-called parent taxis to create confusing and therefore dangerous conditions by parking incorrectly in front of schools or kindergartens. This is another reason why the police advise against “parent taxis”.

because it is generally more sensible to support children in managing their own, safe journey to school rather than driving them to school. This not only contributes to road safety, but also promotes the children’s self-confidence.

Crossing the road represents a special challenge and a particular risk for the youngest road users. First-graders in particular have very little experience in road traffic and can hardly correctly estimate the speed and distance of vehicles.

Everyone can contribute to improving road safety on the way to school! Parents are therefore advised to find a route to school with their children that may be a little longer in individual cases, but has fewer dangerous sections. It should also be a matter of course to properly secure children in vehicles. If you send your children on their bikes, make sure they are given a roadworthy bike. Wearing a bike helmet should also be a matter of course these days. Bright, additional reflective clothing provides protection on the way to school, especially in the approaching dark season.

The police are appealing to other road users to be particularly cautious and to drive defensively and carefully. This naturally includes sticking to the speed limit, but also remembering that in some situations this can be too fast near schools or kindergartens. Increased attention is also required at zebra crossings and pedestrian traffic lights. Adults should also be aware of their role as role models and think about the consequences if, for example, they ride their bikes without lights, cross the road carelessly as pedestrians or cross a red light and are seen and imitated by children.

The police officers deployed will consistently examine all of these problem areas at the relevant times along the school routes. In addition to traffic education talks, serious violations, such as speeding or inadequately secured children, will not just be reprimanded.

Additional information: In 2023, 44 accidents on the way to school involving children and young people aged between six and 17 were recorded by the police in the area of ​​the Reutlingen police headquarters. Seven students were seriously injured and 39 others slightly injured. (pol)