Special comprehensive event "Attention – Children!"

In connection with the end of the academic year and the start of summer holidays, and with the aim of preventing road traffic accidents involving children, a special comprehensive event (SCE) "Attention – Children!" is being held in the republic from May 25 to June 5.

In connection with the end of the academic year and the start of summer holidays, and with the aim of preventing road traffic accidents involving children, a special comprehensive event (SCE) "Attention – Children!" is being held in the republic from May 25 to June 5.

Children on the road, strangely enough, are more diligent than adults. Until a certain age, they do not question the need to cross the road only at a pedestrian crossing and to travel in a car in a special restraint system, because adults, who are an indisputable authority, have told them so. But what happens then? Children observe daily how a rule, which is literally memorised, is violated on the roads. They see how some drivers are in such a hurry that they may not even slow down at a pedestrian crossing. They see pedestrians who briskly jump right in front of car bonnets. And already, as teenagers, they involuntarily copy such a style.

Adults who violate the Traffic Regulations together with children make a triple mistake: they risk their own lives, the child's life, and instill in them the habits of a violator.

When fostering safe behaviour on the road, parents need to identify all taboos from a child's earliest age. The most important rule is that children have no business on the road alone. The roadway is a forbidden zone. Psychologists recommend developing correct reflexes from childhood. Has a ball rolled onto the road? The child must clearly know and understand: under no circumstances should they rush after it; they must ask for help from adults. Children need to be explained: the edge of the pavement is a boundary that can only be crossed after a specific sequence of actions: stop, look around, listen, make sure all cars have stopped, and only then cross the roadway at the "zebra" crossing.

Adults themselves need to be especially careful in courtyards. A child may run out from behind a parked car or a tree directly into the path of a vehicle. This is because children's small stature makes them invisible behind ordinary cars.

Children should be taught to look out from behind an obstacle first, whether it is bushes, a car or a pole, and only then proceed.

Drivers who see a child approaching a pedestrian crossing should smoothly reduce their speed and be prepared to brake at any moment. The same approach should be taken when driving near kindergartens, schools, and public transport stops. Under no circumstances should a child be hurried with a horn.