How to cross

the road

safely

Footsteps is a road safetyinitiative for youngpedestrians to help keep them safe, as trafficis one of the greatest threats to their lives.

Adults know basic road safety and it’s easy to assumeour children will pick this up from us automatically,without explaining what we’re doing and why.

The purpose of this leaflet is to give you some ideas onteaching road safety to your child so they know what todo, whether you are with them or not.

A good starting pointA good place to start with your child is by bending down to theirheight, to get a better understanding of their experience of theworld and of the potential dangers you may not have considered.Why not try this next time you are out and about – for example, onthe school run or walking to the shops?

Road testing After a few practice runs, why not see if your child has understoodthese basic road safety tips? 1. Choose any road, perhaps on the way to school or the shops.

2. Ask your child to choose a good place to cross the road andask why they have made that decision.

3. Check that they know which directions they should be lookingin for traffic.

4. Wait until they tell you when it is safe to cross.

5. If your child forgets or does something wrong, remainencouraging. Give them hints and ask them questions so theycan work out what they should be doing.

6. Repeat the exercise as often as you like, until you feelconfident that your child understands what to do and why it isimportant.

Have fun together!Walking is a healthy, pollution-reducing way of travelling and is agreat way to spend time with your child, and you can make it evenmore enjoyable for everyone by following these easy steps!

Further informationFootsteps is Oxfordshire County Council’s

child road safety initiative. If you would like further information, or would be interested in

helping to train children, please contact:Sarah Gniadek-Pitt, Road Safety OfficerWeb: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/footsteps

Email: sarah.gniadekpitt@oxfordshire.gov.ukPhone: 01235 771095 or 07979 776056

Produced by: County Print FinishersTel: (01865) 815672 • Fax: (01865) 204309 V449-02 (03/11)

Footsteps Vital Skills Leaflet_Layout 1 17/03/2011 11:32 Page 1

First check that nearby cars are not preparing to move: lookand listen for engine noise, exhaust fumes, or drivers in thecars.

If safe, step off the curb and move to the outside edge of thecar nearest the road.

Carefully lean out, look all around and listen for traffic.

If you are satisfied that it is safe, start walking straight across,and continue to look and listen all the time.

Stop, look and listenThese three simple instructions are easy for everyone to rememberwhenever and wherever they cross a road. Stop at the kerbside, just behind the edge, rather than on it. Look carefully in both directions (or in four, if you’re at a

junction) to check that there are no cars approaching. Listen for other cars nearby. Sometimes you can hear a car

before it appears.

Take special care to look out for bicycles and electric cars, neitherof which make much noise.

If there is a traffic island in the middle of the road, then stop thereand repeat the above stages once again before carrying on.

When crossing: Walk, don’t run, so you don’t risk tripping over.

Cross in a straight line, not diagonally, which takes longer.

Keep looking and listening for traffic in case somethingappears suddenly.

The next step is to talk your child through the following road safetypoints.

WalkingAlways use a pavement or footpath whenever these are available,but still take care and look out for other people, vehicles and cars,particularly around entrances to driveways and car parks.

If there is no pavement, then walk facing the direction of oncomingtraffic as this helps them see you better.

Be visible Dark clothes such as school uniforms are difficult for drivers tospot in the dark. Fluorescent colours are bright and show up wellboth in daylight and at dusk. Reflective materials are also good asthey shine against car headlights at night.

Choosing a safe place to crossCrossing the road is safest at a special crossing (e.g. Zebra,Pelican, Toucan, Puffin) or on a footbridge or underground subway.However, people have been hit by drivers who haven’t stopped sonever attempt to cross until the traffic in both directions hascompletely stopped.

If there is no designated crossing point, choose a spot where youcan see, and be seen, clearly. This means avoiding parked cars,sharp bends, and just below the top of a hill.

Beware parked carsCrossing between parked cars is dangerous because you can’tsee traffic as easily and drivers can’t see you. If there is no otherchoice, take the following steps to stay safe:

Footsteps Vital Skills Leaflet_Layout 1 17/03/2011 11:32 Page 2

First check that nearby cars are not preparing to move: lookand listen for engine noise, exhaust fumes, or drivers in thecars.

If safe, step off the curb and move to the outside edge of thecar nearest the road.

Carefully lean out, look all around and listen for traffic.

If you are satisfied that it is safe, start walking straight across,and continue to look and listen all the time.

Stop, look and listenThese three simple instructions are easy for everyone to rememberwhenever and wherever they cross a road. Stop at the kerbside, just behind the edge, rather than on it. Look carefully in both directions (or in four, if you’re at a

junction) to check that there are no cars approaching. Listen for other cars nearby. Sometimes you can hear a car

before it appears.

Take special care to look out for bicycles and electric cars, neitherof which make much noise.

If there is a traffic island in the middle of the road, then stop thereand repeat the above stages once again before carrying on.

When crossing: Walk, don’t run, so you don’t risk tripping over.

Cross in a straight line, not diagonally, which takes longer.

Keep looking and listening for traffic in case somethingappears suddenly.

The next step is to talk your child through the following road safetypoints.

WalkingAlways use a pavement or footpath whenever these are available,but still take care and look out for other people, vehicles and cars,particularly around entrances to driveways and car parks.

If there is no pavement, then walk facing the direction of oncomingtraffic as this helps them see you better.

Be visible Dark clothes such as school uniforms are difficult for drivers tospot in the dark. Fluorescent colours are bright and show up wellboth in daylight and at dusk. Reflective materials are also good asthey shine against car headlights at night.

Choosing a safe place to crossCrossing the road is safest at a special crossing (e.g. Zebra,Pelican, Toucan, Puffin) or on a footbridge or underground subway.However, people have been hit by drivers who haven’t stopped sonever attempt to cross until the traffic in both directions hascompletely stopped.

If there is no designated crossing point, choose a spot where youcan see, and be seen, clearly. This means avoiding parked cars,sharp bends, and just below the top of a hill.

Beware parked carsCrossing between parked cars is dangerous because you can’tsee traffic as easily and drivers can’t see you. If there is no otherchoice, take the following steps to stay safe:

Footsteps Vital Skills Leaflet_Layout 1 17/03/2011 11:32 Page 2

How to cross

the road

safely

Footsteps is a road safetyinitiative for youngpedestrians to help keep them safe, as trafficis one of the greatest threats to their lives.

Adults know basic road safety and it’s easy to assumeour children will pick this up from us automatically,without explaining what we’re doing and why.

The purpose of this leaflet is to give you some ideas onteaching road safety to your child so they know what todo, whether you are with them or not.

A good starting pointA good place to start with your child is by bending down to theirheight, to get a better understanding of their experience of theworld and of the potential dangers you may not have considered.Why not try this next time you are out and about – for example, onthe school run or walking to the shops?

Road testing After a few practice runs, why not see if your child has understoodthese basic road safety tips? 1. Choose any road, perhaps on the way to school or the shops.

2. Ask your child to choose a good place to cross the road andask why they have made that decision.

3. Check that they know which directions they should be lookingin for traffic.

4. Wait until they tell you when it is safe to cross.

5. If your child forgets or does something wrong, remainencouraging. Give them hints and ask them questions so theycan work out what they should be doing.

6. Repeat the exercise as often as you like, until you feelconfident that your child understands what to do and why it isimportant.

Have fun together!Walking is a healthy, pollution-reducing way of travelling and is agreat way to spend time with your child, and you can make it evenmore enjoyable for everyone by following these easy steps!

Further informationFootsteps is Oxfordshire County Council’s

child road safety initiative. If you would like further information, or would be interested in

helping to train children, please contact:Sarah Gniadek-Pitt, Road Safety OfficerWeb: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/footsteps

Email: sarah.gniadekpitt@oxfordshire.gov.ukPhone: 01235 771095 or 07979 776056

Produced by: County Print FinishersTel: (01865) 815672 • Fax: (01865) 204309 V449-02 (03/11)

Footsteps Vital Skills Leaflet_Layout 1 17/03/2011 11:32 Page 1