For parents
We recognise the important role that parents, and carers play in shaping children and young people’s behaviour and choices.
Children and young people of all ages are influenced by their parents and carers; therefore, by setting good examples and being positive role models parents and carers can help their children to stay safe and active.
Road Safety Code for Parents / Carers
- P - park away from school
- A - always hold hands with young children
- R - remember your child will copy you
- E - every road means STOP, LOOK, LISTEN
- N - ever get children out of a car roadside
- T - think safer places to cross the road
- S - secure your child’s car seat correctly
Toddlers (1 – 3 years)
Holding hands with your toddler is the best way to help keep your child safe when near a road. Use every journey as an opportunity to teach your toddler about safe and active travel, model and use simple language to introduce your child to the importance of stopping before the kerb, looking and listening for traffic, and looking for safer places to cross.
To find out about Warwickshire County Councils pre-school and nursery Safe and Active programme ‘The Adventures of Warwick Bear’ visit: (insert link to Safe Nursery)
Children aged 5 – 7 years (Key Stage 1)
We believe that road safety education is a vital part of a child’s primary education and we know that many parents and carers want to be involved.
Children at this age cannot accurately judge the speed of traffic or identify safe gaps in traffic and should always be accompanied by a trusted adult. Holding hands with your child when near to a road, particularly when crossing the road, remains the best way to help your child travel safely.
At this age, continue to be a positive role model and always follow the Warwickshire Road Safety Code to Think, Stop, Look and Listen, Think and Cross Safely. Talk to your child about how pedestrians walk on the pavement and vehicles travel on the road, safer places to cross the road and how to use them, places where it is not safe to cross such as on a bend or between parked cars and discuss the dangers of driveways both when making a journey and at home.
Children aged 7 – 11 years (Key Stage 2)
Key messages at this age include teaching the importance of following the Think, Stop, Look and Listen, Think, Cross Safely sequence, recognising safer places to cross the road and cross safely when travelling actively, and introducing the Highway Code.
Young people aged 11 – 17 years
As young people move on to secondary school, they face many new challenges and travelling to and from school is one for them. It is important for parents to talk to their children about the freedom and independence secondary school brings, but also the risks they may face during the journey. Continue to talk to your child about road safety and the importance of paying attention and taking care when travelling. Discuss distractions and the importance of putting their mobile devices away whilst crossing the road.
As young people begin to think about driving, or start being passengers in their friends' cars, start having conversations with your child about planning a safe route to school, being a responsible and safe passenger - wearing a seatbelt and avoiding distracting the driver, alcohol, drugs and driving and speeding.
To find out more about Warwickshire County Councils secondary school road safety programme ‘Driving Ambitions – The Journey’ visit: (insert link to Safe Primary).
Car Seat Safety
We believe that it is never too early to start thinking about road safety for you and your child. If it is unrealistic to walk or scoot the whole of your journey, why not try ‘Park and Stride’. Park in a safe area away from your destination and walk the remainder of the way. If you are travelling some of the journey in the car, ensure your child is in the correct seat for their age and weight.
Children must normally use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first.
Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seatbelt.
Choose a child car seat based on your child’s height or weight.
For information, advice and support relating to child car seats and seatbelts visit:
