Hazards Of Playing On The Road

Do not play on the road!! That’s what your mother must have said, when you were a kid.

The figures concerning the road accidents that happen annually are quite alarming. This makes road safety a crucial issue, especially in our country. This is why should we not play on the road.

 Therefore, to ensure road safety, we must try our best to share some knowledge about traffic rules with children. Moreover, they need to be taught to follow these rules obediently. Similarly, there's a Road Safety Week organized widely in many metro cities of India annually. Over here, various departments raise slogans and display posters to spread awareness about road safety.

In this article, we will talk about roadway risks while at the same time explaining why we should be concerned about the assurance of the safety of the public more than a roadway.

Why Should We Not Play On The Road

Road Safety is vital because it helps in preventing accidents. It's a common sight to see people crossing roads with no attention. They do not pay attention to the traffic lights and try to cross the road carelessly. This sometimes leads to tragic accidents and therefore the loss is just too painful in touch. Road Safety ensures that we study the pedestrian rules and also practice them to stay safe.

Moreover, road safety is additionally essential for our youngsters because the children are young, they observe their surroundings and follow things which learn from their elder ones. Consequently, if we teach them to behave in a certain manner when on the road, they're going to inculcate responsible habits. Thus, they are often very useful at the end of the day for preventing accidents.

There are some ways by which we can improve road safety. We should walk on the pavements meant for pedestrians. Don't jump or run on roads, as you never know when a vehicle might appear. Similarly, always follow the traffic signals religiously. If the signal is red, don't move until it turns green.

The Risks Of Playing On Roads: Why Should We Not Play On The Road

Physical recreation, social contact, and creativity are the foundation for children’s lives, and they can be cultivated through activities that take place outdoors.

However, it is riskier to play on highways because of the many dangers they cause than the benefits they bring.

1. Automobile Mishaps: Getting involved in a car crash is one of the strongest and most immediate risks of using roads. According to the World Health Organisation, fatalities due to road traffic accidents represent the primary cause of death for the population aged 5–29 years. If the traffic is fast, the drivers may not see the small obstacles, such as toddlers playing on the road, and this may result in a car accident with fatal outcomes.
2. Lack of vision: It is no wonder that visibility at corners and turns may be problematic with roads being initially designed for moving cars. When the car lights don't work well, children playing on the highway might be exposed to cars. Drivers may encounter a different type of challenge, which is a lack of visibility, which may be too short to notice and respond to youth on their regular routes and ultimately crash.
3. Speeding cars: Speeding vehicles garner much attention everywhere, not to mention those that converge on house-lined residential areas. This risk of collision can be heightened when kids are around because the vehicles may not be able to slow down or stop on time to avoid an accident. Despite the fact that all traffic rules are followed by the respective drivers, the situation with an accident can be severe enough to kill or put a child in a critical state.
4. Distraction and Inattention: Drivers usually have to cope not only with driving on the road but also with passengers, phones, and outside stimuli. The children who play on the motorways also increase the likelihood of distracting the drivers tremendously, so this may lead them to not drive safely. Distracted children on the road might be a big cause of an accident, even with a little delay in reaction.
5. Lack of Safety Infrastructure: Some highways are not equipped with enough safety hints to be able to protect kids when they are playing or pedestrians. Playing around roads has an added danger due to possible missing or even poorly maintained sidewalks, crosswalks, and speed bumps. Without any set playfields for children, kids might assume the roads are play spaces or game places that children ultimately know are dangerous.
6. Environmental risks: The most obvious danger for children who are playing on the streets is that they are vulnerable to various environmental postures as well as the risk of being hit by a car. Respiratory diseases and chronic illnesses have been aggravated by what people unknowingly inhale from passing car exhausts. Along with the garbage and fine gravel/uneven terrain, kids are at a high risk of falls and play-related accidents.
7. Psychological Impact: These cases will affect the psychological aspects of children and their carers as they pass through the phase of worry and anxiety due to unforeseen accidents. Recognising the fact that their children are in the risk zone any time they travel along the road brings extra stress to the parents. So too, you may find the kids frightened and worried, taking much of the joy away from playing outdoors.
8. Consequences for Law: From a legal standpoint, those kids might be assumed to be trespassing or breaking the law, and this, of course, may result in negative consequences for the children’s parents or guardians. In a traffic accident, the issue of responsibility may be controversial, adding to the problems. The risk to their health and safety is very high for kids while playing on public roads; therefore, it is very important to teach kids about this and let them know about safer outdoor leisure options.

Traffic Rules for Children

Recognise traffic signs.

Educating young children and youth about the basics of traffic safety, such as different types of roads, crosses, and other road signs, is a prerequisite to enhancing their safety and security. Knowing that they are important and precious in our lives, a base of knowledge is demanded.

Examine both directions.

It is very important to look in both directions of the street to be certain that there is no danger. Being sure to look both ways helps to avoid dangerous situations that we sometimes encounter, such as a horn blaring, confidently braking a second too late, or another vehicle passing you on the left.

Make use of crosswalks.

Zebra crossings are a simple white line on a grey road surface that indicates where pedestrians can safely cross the street. This is called the main road pattern. Again, that would be jaywalking. When there is heavier traffic, pedestrians should ensure that they use the road whenever possible to cross. Bikers ought to auto-slow down when they approach the crosswalk since it is assumed that drivers are already aware of them.

Traffic Signals Be observant of the traffic lights to reduce collisions. who actually had practical knowledge of the colours that waver on indicator signs. "Stand by." "Stop." "Go." The yellow sign says one thing, the red says another, and the green says a third.

Grasp Hands

Small children must be taught to hold very tight to their parents' or guardians' hands when they go on the roadways. To avoid any unpredicted accidents, these instructions need to contain exact directions, either at home or at a starting point. Holding each other's hands could be crucial when walking or driving.

Make yourself known.

With kids riding their bikes home to school and to their friends, this becomes the norm. The best way to see the road, cars, and traffic lights is by wearing bright-coloured spectacles. Take time to study the kind of goggles or sunglasses you may wear, as these may cause a problem with glare or reflections when driving. Lastly, consider wearing brightly coloured clothing to be visible to others and having the proper lighting attached to the bicycles.

Remain on sidewalks.

There are extensive roadways with human paths that are layered mostly for people to walk on. To evade any accidents on the road, utilise them and go on walking. Never descend from a pedestrian-elevated pavement without a reason, and then also carefully check whether there is less traffic. In case there are no sidewalks, stay to the left as far as you can.

Absence of distractions

Check that small children are not left unattended behind the wheels of your car, and the older ones may be the ones to remind them not to use their gadgets and phones while walking along roads. Observe the roadways, as there might be some construction happening as well as exposed manholes on some roads. Thus, focus all your attention on the street as you cross it.

Stay out of the streets

It is of utmost importance that children grasp the meaning of never running on the roads. Put sign as do not play on the road.

When they reach their top speed, cars have difficulty applying the emergency brake, so they can end up in unnecessarily chaotic accidents. Thus, children should be taught to avoid running into parking lots, roadways, or even sidewalks.

Steer clear of stray animals completely.

Certainly, stray animals can be hazardous on some streets and motorways. Make it clear to children that they should ignore stray dogs—or any other dogs in general—and not put their hands all over when they attempt to give them food. Violence or getting away from stray animals can cause unwanted incidents.

Establishing Lifelong Habits of Road Safety Among Children

Why should we not play on the road, that what you must have thought as a kid. But you know parents knows best.

The road safety teaching for today is not only a necessity, but it is more than that, given the increase in road traffic, high levels of congestion, and thus high risk.

Awareness of road safety can be employed to protect children as they grow and provide habits that could save lives. Teachers and educators can empower children to transit the streets safely and responsibly by giving them the highest level of road safety instruction.

1.Get Started Early

The younger they get to learn about road safety, the more it becomes their habit. A simple concept can be understood by kids as young as 3 years old through narration, music, and interaction, like understanding traffic signals, holding hands when crossing the street, and recognising the importance of curbs and pavements. With increased age, the very first exposures provide a way to more advanced road safety instructions.

2.Walk the Talk

The best way for children to assess the role model is to see how their carers, including parents and other adults, react as well. People have to strictly follow the good demeanours of safe driving, as there are the best 'classroom' examples for the new generation of drivers.

This means that pedestrians must only use crosswalks that are marked and pay attention to signs from traffic lights, and the ones who need it should decide to use a seat belt or a helmet, where necessary. The kids will probably adopt these manners as a standard in their lives as they see these actions being done repeatedly around them.

3.Interactive Education

Putting into action activities that the children will enjoy and that are practical can be the gateways to a better representation of road safety for them. Many entertaining game genres can be implemented in a learning environment: role-playing, educational games, and simulations.

They all can serve as successful aids for memorization and retention of crucial concepts. Take, for example, a school or a playground; building a fake crossroad with traffic lights and pavement markings will provide the children with the correct environment to showcase their driving skills.

4.Safety for Pedestrians and Cyclists

Older kids should be reminded often about safe bicycling and walking. If they are taught how to use crossings, read signs of traffic lights, and ride bicycles on established bike streets or trails, they can be more independent and more confident. Coordinate an interactive action in the neighbourhood, like a walking tour or field trips, while you can also use the outdoor settings to put into practice the lessons.

5.Experts and Community Leaders

Local authorities, namely law enforcement agencies and traffic safety organisations, could be one of the remarkable players consolidating a coordinated way to improve road safety education for children. They should tell as to why should we not play on the road.

These experts can kindle children's interest in traffic safety rules and make learning fun by showing materials that are appropriate for their age and presenting practical examples that highlight the importance of such rules and regulations.

6.Support Both at Home and At School.

Consistency is vital in teaching children about traffic safety. To ensure that children fully grasp the importance of road safety, parents and teachers should regularly remind the students about these lessons. To retain a high level of consciousness as well as to refresh the concepts, talks, tests, and reminders might be considered.

7.Addressing Risky Behaviours and Distractions

It is imperative to deal with the risks associated with distracted cycling and walking that have come as a result of using electronic devices. It is also very important to teach them the skills of staying focused and alert behind the wheel when driving. It is also important to discuss the risks involved in the activities, like playing around with moving cars or crossing the road in the wrong places, to keep accidents at bay and encourage a sense of responsibility.

8.Celebrating Success and Spurring Onward

Technically, acknowledging and appreciating kids success in traffic safety may motivate them to continue doing so. Positive rewards such as stickers or certificates can encourage children and even their relatives and peers. They can also lead to a good lifestyle.

Communities, educators, and parents can join forces to make the roads safer for kids by implementing these initiatives. You should tell them as to why should we not play on the road.

Instruction about road safety should be carried out during a prolonged process, and depending on the age and stage of development of the student, the content and reinforcements should be adjusted.

Through promoting this thought process in kids starting from a young age, we can shape them into responsible, self-assured cyclists, walkers, and, in the future, drivers who, in turn, will boost community safety.

In a nutshell, there are several risks related to roads that could threaten not only children's but also adults’ safety and well-being. That’s why the parents say, “do not play on the road”. Some of the risks of driving on highways, for instance, include the likelihood of motor accidents and some psychological and environmental effects. When it comes to safety, it's crucial that you teach children about traffic safety rules and advocate for community play places in order to lower the incidence of child injuries. We should foster an environment that brings about healthy, active, and secure childhoods for everyone through the establishment of safer alternatives to road play.

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