Macquarie University

Road safety
A guide for families and carers
of children 0 to 5 years
Children can be unpredictable!

Expect the Every year over 500 children are injured in road crashes in NSW.
unexpected with However, there are many ways we can protect children in the
young children – traffic environment.

even at home. In This booklet is for all adults who look after children aged
between 0 and 5 years old. It will tell you:
traffic, this can have
disastrous results. • Why young children are often injured in traffic.
Young children can • How adults can keep young children safe from traffic injury.
be killed or injured • Why it is never safe for children to play in driveways –
by cars and other even in home driveways.
vehicles – whether • Practical ways to help children learn about road safety.
they are walking,
• Where to go for more information.
playing or travelling
as passengers.
 3

Start road safety early

Establish road safety practices and routines

Expect the unexpected

... even at home,
because you never
know when a child
will do something new.

As soon as children
can move, they are on
the go, exploring.
This can lead them into danger.

Whenever cars and other

vehicles are or could be around,
adults need to:

• Hold children's hands until they

are at least 8 years old.

• Closely and actively supervise

children while they play to keep
them out of danger.

• Talk with children about road

safety in ways they understand.
4

Why are young children at risk?

These are only some of the reasons why young

children depend on adults to keep them safe

Children ...

... are curious and love to ... may be restless. They may
explore. It is illegal to leave a not want to sit still in a
child unattended in a vehicle. car, but don’t realise their
behaviour can distract
the driver.

... may hear and see traffic ... are all different, so what
but are not yet able to works with one child may
understand how it puts their not work with another.
safety at risk.
 5

Children ...

... w
 ant to be ... are small. They can be
independent. They difficult for drivers or riders
don’t always want to to see in traffic.
hold an adult’s hand
when near traffic.

... may be easily distracted. ... are fast and unpredictable.

They need help to They can move from safety
understand what to into danger in an instant.
watch out and listen for.
6

As adults we need to ...

• Take every opportunity to help children learn • E nsure children hold an adult’s hand, buckle
about road safety by talking with them about up safely in the car, or wear their bike helmet,
what we are doing to keep safe around traffic. even if they resist.
•U
 se our knowledge and experience to predict •U
 se the road safety information and activities in
when a situation might become dangerous this booklet and ask the other adults in children's
for children. lives to do the same.
 7

pedestrians passengers playing

Above all, we need As adults, we are

responsible for young
to be with them and children’s safety
keep them safe. around traffic
Children are most likely to be
whether they are:
injured close to home, often in
their own street or driveway. • pedestrians
• Children often talk about • passengers
keeping safe long before they
can behave safely. • or playing.
• Injuries can occur anytime,
anywhere and to anyone.
8

Pedestrian safety
Their safety is in our hands

When out walking with

children, hold their hand
or hold them close.
This is the most effective
way of keeping children
safe from traffic injury.

Sometimes a child doesn’t want Use these road safety messages:

to hold hands or be held.
What do you do? • “Whenever we are out walking,
we hold hands.”
Don’t worry – all children complain
about holding hands at one time or • “If we can’t hold hands, you can
another. Sometimes they don’t keep close by holding onto me,
understand how this will keep them the bag or the stroller.”
safe or they may just want to do it
their way.

Make family rules about safe walking,

explain how they will keep you all safe
and then stick to them.
 9

Explain family rules about safe walking When holding your child’s hand, use the
and then stick to them opportunity to talk together about:
• Where it is safe to walk and cross the road,
car park or driveway.

• When it is safe to walk and cross.

• Why we need to stop and wait before crossing.

• What to look for.

• What to listen for.

• Why we have to keep checking until

we are safely across the road, car park
or driveway.

For activities about pedestrian safety

to use with your children, look inside
the back pocket.
10

Passenger safety
Buckle up for safety

For more information on the correct

restraint for your child or to find your nearest
Find the right
Authorised Restraint Fitter, call 13 22 13 restraint for
or visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au.
your child:
The brochures 'Child restraint safety ratings'
and 'Choose right buckle right' provide 0 – 6 months: Approved
information on how to choose the right rearward-facing restraint.
restraint to suit your child's age and size. 6 months – 4 years:
These brochures can be downloaded and Approved rearward or
ordered from www.rms.nsw.gov.au and are forward-facing restraint.
available at any motor registry.
4 – 7 years: Approved
forward-facing restraint
or booster seat.

Children must NEVER be left alone in a car,

even for short periods. They are in danger of:
• Heat stress and dehydration – parked cars can
heat up very quickly, even with windows wound
down slightly.

• Burns from hot seatbelt buckles and vinyl fittings.

• Playing with car controls – such as hand brakes,

gear levers, cigarette lighters, power windows
and the ignition.

• Car thieves.

It is illegal to leave a child

unattended in a vehicle.
 11

The Safety Door is

the rear door, closest
to the kerb, footpath
or gutter and away
from the road.

Sometimes children won’t want to buckle • “You must stay buckled up,
up. They may not understand the safety awake or asleep.”
reasons, or they may be restless or just
• “I will help you unbuckle when
want to do it their way.
we get there.”
In these situations, it is important to • “I will help you out through the
have family rules about safe driving, to Safety Door of the car.”
talk about them with the children and
then stick to them – every time you When buckling children up, or driving
are in the car. them around, talk with them about:
Use these road safety messages • Child restraints and booster seats and
with young children: how they keep us safe.

• “I will buckle you up safely.” • The Safety Door and why it is the safest
door to get in and out of the car.
• “When everyone is buckled up,
we can go.” • Why children can never stay in the
car alone.
• “If anyone isn’t properly buckled up,
we stop.” For activities about buckling up safely,
look inside the back pocket.
12

Playing safely
Stay close, stay alert

For young children

to be able to play
safely, an adult needs
to supervise them
closely and actively.

You need to make sure

children are in a safe
place to play, such as a
backyard, fenced park or
recreational area.

A young child’s skull is soft

and easily injured. So
whenever children ride
wheeled toys or bicycles, it is
important that they wear a correctly fitted and fastened
approved helmet that meets the Australian and New Zealand
Standards (AS/NZ2063). This is an adult’s responsibility.

Young children who wear helmets from the moment they start
riding their first wheeled toy will be safer from head injury, and
are more likely to continue the practice throughout their lives.

When buying a helmet:

• Take the child to the shop with you, to make sure the
helmet fits properly.
• It should fit two child finger widths above the child’s
eyebrows (a young child may require your help here),
and be neither too tight nor too loose.
• It should not be too heavy for the child’s head and neck
to carry.
 13

Make some family rules about safe play, talk about them
with the children and then stick to them – every time they
are using bikes, trikes or scooters.

Make these family safe play rules: Safe Play

• “No helmet, no bike.” Where possible children should play in
a fenced yard or park and be closely
• “When everyone has their helmet and and actively supervised by an adult
shoes on, we can ride our bikes.” at all times.
• “If anyone isn’t wearing their helmet Roads, car parks, footpaths and
or shoes properly, we’ll put the driveways are never safe places to play.
bikes away.”
Share these safe play messages
When supervising children, use these
with children:
opportunities to talk with them about:
• “Always ask a grown-up where it is
• How helmets and enclosed shoes
safe for you to play.”
keep us safe.
• “Always wear your helmet when
• Why we must ride and play away
riding your bike or wheeled toy.”
from traffic – for instance, in the
backyard or at the bike track. For activities about safe play to
• Why footpaths and driveways are use with your child, look inside
never safe places to play. the back pocket.

• Why it is never safe for young

children to ride their bikes, scooters
or skates without an adult closely
supervising them.
14

For more information

To find your nearest
Authorised Restraint Fitting
Station call 13 22 13 or visit
www.rms.nsw.gov.au

To order more copies of this

booklet, general road safety
brochures, or child restraint
brochures call 1800 060 607.
You can also download
and order copies of road
safety publications from
www.rms.nsw.gov.au

www.rms.nsw.gov.au For information on road

safety activities in your
local community, contact
Kids & Traffic website your local council and
ask to speak to the
www.kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au road safety officer.
© Transport for NSW
The information in this brochure is intended as a guide only and is subject to change at any time without notice. It does not replace the relevant legislation.

For further enquiries

www.rms.nsw.gov.au | 13 22 13 | 8.30am – 5pm Mon-Fri 8.30am – 2pm Sat

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June, 2012
TRANSPORT 12.032 Cat No. 45094482
 Driveway safety
The responsibility of the adults in your child’s life

Tragically, young
children can be run
over in their own
home driveway.
• The CHILDREN
are usually under 
3 years old.

• The DRIVERS are

usually parents, family
members or friends
and are unaware
that the child is
on the driveway.

• The VEHICLES are

usually moving slowly
and reversing.

Hold their hands or

hold them close to
keep them safe.
Young children are extremely
vulnerable on driveways because they:
• Are small and hard for • Can quickly run from safety
drivers to see. into danger without the
driver even knowing.
• Can be unpredictable
and suddenly dart away • Are fast, so drivers don’t
without adults realising. know the child is now
behind or near the car.
• Love to explore but
don’t know they have to
move out of the way of
a moving vehicle.
• Want to be where the
action is – and run to
greet the driver or to
wave goodbye.

It only takes a
second for a
tragedy to happen!
Always expect the unexpected!

• You’ve said goodbye.

• You’ve checked
your mirrors and
reverse camera.
• You’re on your way.
• And you think your
child is safe.
BUT …
YOU MAY BE
WRONG

When cars are

about, young
children need an
adult with them.
To protect young children
from driveway injury or death
• Hold their hand or hold them close to keep them safe.
• Always expect the unexpected – it takes just a second
for a tragedy to happen.
• Make sure another adult is protecting your child
before you start or move your car – or buckle up
your child safely in the car with you.
• Separate play areas from home driveways
wherever possible.
• Stay alert – reverse cameras and parking sensors can
help you detect objects – including children – near
your vehicle. But children move fast and you may
not be able to stop in time!
• Nothing can replace close adult supervision.

Talk with all the adults in your children’s lives about

your family rules to prevent driveway injury or death.

June, 2012
Macquarie University
TRANSPORT 12.032E
Cat No. 45094482 www.kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au
 Buckle up for safety
An activity sheet for you and your child to use together

Use these passenger

safety messages
• “I will buckle you
up safely.”

• “When everyone
is buckled up,
we can go.”

• “You must stay

buckled up,
awake or asleep.”

• “I will help you

unbuckle when
we get there.”

• “I will help you

out through the
Safety Door.”
While in the car…
• Sing together or play some ‘I spy’ games.

• Talk about your journey and where you are going.

• Play CDs of songs and stories.

• Make toys, games and books easy for children to

Twink le t wink le I ’m a st a r,
reach by using velcro, suction caps or key rings.
Buck led up safely in t he ca r.
• Encourage your child to buckle
Over my shoulder, across my la p,
up a favourite doll or teddy.
Click clack front ‘n’ back .
Twink le t wink le I ’m a st a r,
Buck led up safely in t he ca r.

Place the Safety Door sticker

on the left hand rear window
of your car and use this as
the door for children to get in
and out of the car.
Lachlan and Thomas
buckle up for safety
Read this story with your child and talk about being buckled up safely

1.
“We’re going to school
2.
“We parked the
to pick up my big car and Mummy
brother Thomas. is helping me out
Mummy is buckling me through the
up in my car seat.” Safety Door.”

3.
“After we picked up
Thomas from school, we
all walked back to the car
holding hands. We both got
in the car using the Safety
Door. Mummy buckled me
into my car seat and helped
Thomas into his booster
seat. When I go to big
school I will sit in a booster
seat just like Thomas.”
Spot the difference Macquarie University

www.kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au

Before you go on a
journey, help your
child spot the six
differences in these
photos. Talk about
how important it
is for everyone to
stay buckled up on
the journey.

Wrist watch; Safety Door sticker.

Toy bunny; T-shirt emblem;
Boy's T-shirt colour; Girl's hair clip;
Answers:

June, 2012
TRANSPORT 12.032B
Cat No. 45094482
 Hold my hand
An activity sheet for you and your child to use together

Use these pedestrian

safety messages
• “Whenever we are
out walking, we
hold hands.”

• “If we can’t hold hands,

you can keep close by
holding onto me, the
bag or the stroller.”

• “If you don’t

hold hands or stay
close, we’ll have
to go home.”
Talk with your child about:
• Where it is safe to walk and cross the road,
car park or driveway.
• When it is safe to walk and cross.
• Why we need to stop and wait before crossing.
• Why it is important to hold a grown-up's hand
when crossing.
• What to look for when crossing.
• What to listen for when crossing.

Activities to do when you’re out and

about and at home.
• Sing this song: ‘Here we go walking’
(To the tune of ‘Here we go round the mulberry bush’)

Here we go walking holding hands,

Holding hands, holding hands,
Here we go walking holding hands,
Whenever we’re out and about!

• Make up your own songs using the pedestrian safety

messages on the front of this activity sheet.

• Visit the Kids and Traffic website

www.kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au to
download more road safety songs.
Watch out cars about
Talk with your child about all the different places where cars might be and where children always need
to hold a grown-up's hand. Also talk with them about safe places that grown-ups use to cross the road.
Draw a picture of your
family holding hands Macquarie University

www.kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au

Tell your story about holding hands with a grown-up.

June, 2012
TRANSPORT 12.032C Cat No. 45094482
 Playing safely
An activity sheet for you and your child to use together

Use these safe

play messages
• “Always ask a
grown-up where
it is safe to play.”

• “When everyone has

their helmets and
shoes on, we can
ride our bikes.”

• “If anyone isn’t wearing

their helmet or shoes
properly, we’ll put
the bikes away.”

• “Don’t play in
the driveway.”
When I ride my bike, trike or
scooter, a grown-up checks that …
• I always wear my helmet.
• I always wear closed-in shoes.
• My helmet is firmly buckled up.
• I play and ride in a safe place, away
from the road, driveways and cars.
• I am always supervised.

Talk with your child

about why these things
help keep them safe.
Draw a picture of you playing
safely away from the road
Jessica is riding safely Macquarie University

www.kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au

1.
“Mum is putting on my helmet
so I can ride my bike. She puts
the helmet on my head,
making sure it fits.”

2.
“I put just two fingers above
my eyebrow to check
my helmet is in the right
position on my head.
Then Mum makes sure
the straps are around my
ears and not twisted.”

3.
“The buckle is done up tightly
4.
“Now I'm ready to go. I always
under my chin. Mum checks wear my helmet when I ride.
that the helmet doesn’t slide I got this new pink helmet for my
back and forward and fixes birthday. Mum and I went to the
the straps so it fits perfectly.” shops and tried them all on and
June, 2012
I picked this one.”
TRANSPORT 12.032D
Cat No. 45094482