A is for Awareness

Are you aware that traffic hurts and kills thousands of people every year?

Some people hurt by traffic are seriously injured. This can mean being paralysed (not being able to move your body), losing arms and legs, and other injuries that can mean not being able to walk or move around properly.
For example, injuring your arm isn’t about having a cool cast on it that other kids can draw on. It’s about possibly never, ever being able to use that arm again because it’s just too badly hurt. Imagine that.
Some people hurt by traffic die. This includes some kids and teenagers.
THINK: Have you ever been hurt while playing? Getting hurt on *the roads can be much worse*

Are you aware that people sometimes do dangerous things?

Some drivers break laws. The law says that drivers must stick to speed limits but some break the law by driving too fast.
Some people do dangerous things when walking, like texting on their mobile phone while crossing a road.
Some people do dangerous things while cycling, like not wearing a helmet.

Doing something dangerous means you are more likely to be hurt or killed.

*THINK: Have you ever been hurt because you did something dangerous? *

Are you aware of the biggest dangers for kids like you?

Some roads have lots of fast traffic. These roads are dangerous for kids walking and cycling. Sometimes it’s hard to know how fast traffic is travelling.
If it’s dark, foggy or raining, it’s harder for drivers to see you if you’re walking or cycling and harder for you to see traffic.
Some roads have hidden dangers, like parked cars along the side or bends in the road. It’s dangerous to cross in these places because it’s hard for drivers to see kids walking and cycling, and hard for you to see if there’s traffic coming.
Some vehicles are very big ? like trucks and buses. These vehicles often do important jobs, like carrying food to shops or carrying people to work. But because the vehicles are big, the drivers have ‘blind spots’. This means sometimes they can’t see things near the vehicle ? like kids stood behind them or right next to them. Keep well away from these vehicles.

*THINK: Dangers on the roads are called ‘hazards’. Have you spotted any hazards on the road where you live? *