Scottish Government

SAFELY TO SCHOOL: A STUDY OF SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL IN THE CLASSROOM

CHAPTER SIX The role of parents in road safety education

Introduction

6.1 In Chapter 2 we saw that parents have a crucial role to play in the road safety education of their children. Not only do they make judgements regarding the age at which children can assess the speed of on-coming traffic (Dunne et al, 1992), but they also influence children's attitudes and their travel to school choices (Granville et al, 2002). In this chapter we report the perceptions of a sample of parents surveyed in our six case study schools, and explore the implications for road safety education.

Which parents responded?

6.2 One-hundred and four (104) parents returned completed questionnaires on Safer Routes to School. These had been distributed to cover three pupil age groups: 8/9-, 10/11-, and 12/13-year-olds in four primary schools and two secondary schools across Scotland. Fifty-eight per cent (58%) of respondents were parents of primary school children, and 42% parents of secondary school pupils. Approximately 76% of parents had at least two school-age children and 68% lived within one mile of the school their child attended. Interestingly given the general decline in walking to schools, most (74%) reported that their child walks to school often, and another 17% that this happens sometimes. Public transport was reported to be used by few children (14% used buses often, and 8% the train); whereas a very small proportion (4%) cycle to school often. In contrast, 24% of parents reported that they drop their children off at school by car often, and 59% sometimes. These percentages are broken down in Table 6.1, below, to show the variations in the travel to school patterns of primary and secondary school pupils.

Table 6.1: Percentages of primary and secondary pupils who travel to school 'often' by various methods

What are their concerns?

6.3 We have seen from the literature on road safety that child safety is a prime concern for many parents (Granville et al, 2002). This not only informs parents' attitudes towards road safety, but also influences the educational choices they make for their children. For instance, Howe et al (1999) found that safety was the major criterion in parental assessment of pre-school establishments. It is, therefore, important to identify how parents view different methods of travelling to school, as these attitudes will undoubtedly influence their children's behaviour. As can be seen in Table 6.2 below, 48% of parents believe that travel by car is very safe, compared to only 14% for walking and 1% for cycling. They do, however, rate walking and using the bus as reasonably safe (70% and 75% respectively).

Table 6.2: Parental perceptions of the safety of different ways of travelling to school

6.4 The overwhelming majority of parents (90%) think that busy roads and fast traffic are the most important problems faced by children travelling to and from school. In addition, 72% identify the lack of street crossings as an associated problem but only 34% think there are too few street-crossing wardens. It is interesting that only 22% point to the lack of public transport, and 25% to no supervision at school bus stops as problems. This may be related to parental lack of knowledge of public transport, given that only 14% report that their children travel often to school by bus. Although traffic causes parents most concern, it is clear that many parents are anxious about wider safety issues: over half (56%) do not believe their children have sufficient knowledge about road safety; 54% worry about assaults, and just over a third (35%) point to poor street lighting. By far the largest number of comments highlight the dangers which parents perceive are caused by traffic and other road users. Comments, typical of many, explain:

Car speed and volume are the biggest problems by far. Not much can be done about volume but much more could be done about reducing speed.

(Parent, Case Study 5)

I am concerned that even 'quiet' streets are used as rat runs in our area and should have speed reduction measures/blocked ends. In our street even with a lollipop man, cars often go too fast/don't stop or don't pay attention. I have seen many near misses.

(Parent, Case Study 6)

Bad car discipline at traffic lights. Delivery lorries - especially on pavements.

(Parent, Case Study 4)

Problems associated with slow moving congested traffic.

(Parent, Case Study 4)

At present cars, lorries and buses are ignoring the speed limit and the only way to stop this is to install speed cameras.

(Parent, Case Study 4)

6.5 Some indicated that the problems were caused by other parents:

The biggest hazard for my primary school-aged children is other parents driving their children to school and parking dangerously.

(Parent, Case Study 6)

Cars parked on pavements thus narrowing safe walking area and children have to walk on the road to get past.

(Parent, Case Study 6)

6.6 A number of parents had wider concerns:

At the moment my oldest child passes lots of building sites on the school route. There are obstacles, smoke from tar etc., temporary traffic lights and diversions. Very busy road. Sometimes my youngest has to cross on her own due to no crossing guide. We have no notice from school or other [authority].

(Parent, Case Study 2)

Bullying could be an issue for a child walking to and from school, stone throwing, name calling, intimidating behaviour from peers!

(Parent, Case Study 3)

6.7 One encouraged her children:

… not to talk to strangers and [gave them] permission to kick, shout or scream if strangers attempt to abduct them.

(Parent, Case Study 4)

6.8 Another thought that 'walking through the park' was an issue for personal safety and others regarded 'abduction' and 'strangers' as constant dangers. Some complained that schools occasionally sent children home during school hours, which consequently put children at risk. As one parent explained:

[My daughter had] no money for fares and was told that this was not the school's problem. Thus she walked 2 miles on a busy road. On contacting the academy, I was told to take it up with the Education Authority.

(Parent, Case Study 4)

6.9 Ironically, this latter case is located within a local authority which is actively promoting road safety.

Who should take responsibility for road safety?

6.10 Parents expressed very definite views about where the responsibility for children's road safety lies. Nearly all (98%) accepted the primacy of their role as parents to be responsible for their children's safety. Seventy-seven per cent (77%) thought the council has a very important role to play; 57%, the police; and just over half (55%) thought that schools were very important. One parent provides an insight into parental concerns:

I remind my children every time they go out to watch the roads and to be careful.

(Parent, Case Study 2)

6.11 Parents had also formed views about the measures which would improve their children's road safety. Almost all (94%) thought that teaching children about road safety was very important, and 80% believed that street crossings were also very important. There was significant support for speed bumps (63%) and speed cameras (54%). However, again the majority of parents underplayed the role of public transport: only 20% thought that more public transport was very important, and 28%, more supervision on buses. Individuals suggested some actions that might alleviate the situation:

Drivers passing the school should slow down and take care.

(Parent, Case Study 6)

Our Council continually cites financial pressures as constraints [for not slowing down traffic] and in my opinion this is unacceptable.

(Parent, Case Study 5)

Speed bumps approaching junctions. More signs around schools, ie 'School 20 mph'. Survey of children not using 'Authorised Crossings' and target the worst areas.

(Parent, Case Study 2)

Safety would be less of an issue if people had a higher priority in thinking about traffic planning, ie more 'twenty's plenty' zones, residential areas designed as 'home zones' where people especially children take priority over cars (as is done in Holland and Denmark I believe) More speed bumps and chicanes. For as long as the car and car usage is regarded as more important than people's safety then we will have tragedy on the roads.

(Parent, Case Study 5)

6.12 Others pointed out that:

Motoring organisations, media-motoring sections should stop being so car-centred and encourage walking, cycling, and public transport.

(Parent, Case Study 4)

6.13 But some thought that more children should be encouraged to walk to school and adopt safe habits:

I believe children should be actively encouraged to walk to school but feel this is an area not researched by local councils. At a time of increasing obesity levels in children, a walk to school in the morning and afternoon home is of concern.

(Parent, Case Study 4)

I can't understand why so few teenagers and adults wear helmets. Teachers don't.

(Parent, Case Study 4)

6.14 And another thought that all children in the school catchment area should be able to walk to school and those who are dropped off should do so at a safe distance from the school, but definitely 'not at the gate'.

When should children be taught about road safety?

6.15 Responses from parents show that they are more than willing to assume the major responsibility for teaching their children about road safety. However, a crucial decision which faces all parents is determining at what age a child is ready for such education. There is a degree of unanimity in the responses: almost all (99%) thought that children should be introduced to crossing the road safely at age 5-7 years; 93% that car safety, such as seat belts, should also be taught at that age; 89% that 5- to 7-year-olds should learn about safe routes to school; and 84% that they should learn about local road risks. Parents were far less sure about the age at which cycling proficiency and driving safely should be introduced: 42% thought that 8- to 9-year-olds were ready for cycling proficiency, and 42% suggested that 16-18 was the most appropriate age for driving safely. The comments below illustrate parents' views.

6.16 One parent (Case Study 4) wanted to bring back the 'Green Cross Code' for young children. Another pointed out that waiting until primary school-age was too late:

Need to introduce Road Safety at nursery level - the police used to have 'tufty' lady visiting all schools - especially [the] term before the summer holidays when some pre-school children may be outdoors more. This service is no longer available.

(Parent, Case Study 6)

6.17 This was echoed by another parent who believed that:

Children should be told about road safety before starting school.

(Parent, Case Study 2)

6.18 Such comments illustrate a lack of parental awareness of the range of road safety education for nursery-aged children (eg Gym Cards ³) developed by the Children's Traffic Club run by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign.

6.19 Other parents pointed out that age per se was not the issue:

It's not that the children don't know about road safety, It's that they don't understand the dangers or think they apply to themselves.

(Parent, Case Study 4)

6.20 Again returning to the theme of overall safety, one parent wanted children to be taught:

Not to get into cars with strangers should be introduced at age 5 and 7 and reinforced throughout the age group.

(Parent, Case Study 4)

What can parents do?

6.21 Not only did parents believe that their role in their children's road safety was very important, but they also identified the measures they take to help their children travel to school safely. Almost all (98%) reported that they always insist that their child wears a seat belt, and 95% that they always teach them about road safety. Forty-one per cent (41%) make sure that their children are always accompanied by a responsible adult, but clearly this is dependent upon the age of the child and the mode of transport. The figure drops to only 17% when the method of travel to school is walking, which seems to indicate the parents are more willing to use a car to accompany children rather than walk with them to school. The percentage of parents who always take their children to school on the bus drops dramatically: 7% report that they always do so, and 17% sometimes. Again, this is consistent with parental attitudes towards public transport.

6.22 Parents suggested a number of ways in which they could help their children by:

• Giving them road safety training at home (Case Study 4);
• Ensuring that their child was aware of their responsibility as a road and pavement user and how their behaviour affects others (Case Study 4);
• Reminding their children of the constant danger of roads (Case Study 2);
• Teaching them not to speak to strangers 'my children heard it from the pram' (Case Study 4);
• Encouraging 'healthy lifestyles by walking' (Case Study 4);
• Ensuring they always wear seat belts when in the car (Case Study 4);
• Not dropping their children off at the school gate (Case Studies 4 & 6);
• Ensuring that they and their children wear helmets when cycling (Case Study 4); and
• Cycling with them (Case Study 5).

Conclusions

6.23 In conclusion, we found that:

• 74% of parents report that their children walk to school often.
• 48% of parents thought that cars were a very safe mode of transport for children to use to travel to school: this was more than for any other way of getting to and from school.
• 90% of parents identified busy roads and fast traffic as the most important problems faced by children travelling to school.
• Over 50% of parents expressed concerns about wider safety issues related to assaults, bullying, street lighting and possible abductions.
• Nearly all parents (98%) accepted their responsibility to educate their children in road safety.
• 99% thought that road safety should be introduced when children were aged between 5 and 7 years.
• Some believed that children should be encouraged to take more responsibility for their own road safety by teaching them to walk or cycle safely to school.
• Finally, despite their general willingness to take the major responsibility for their child's road safety, it is clear that parents expect local authorities, the police, schools and other road users to play a part: in particular they want more active traffic management, and other parents to behave responsibly by reducing their driving speed and refraining from parking or dropping children off near the school.