Back to school road safety checklist

Life is about to hit full throttle once again, as parents and children alike wave goodbye to the holidays and prepare for a new school year.

While organising school shoes, stationary and lunch boxes, remember to also make time for good road safety practices. Parents play a crucial role in teaching and keeping their children safe on and around roads.

Here are some useful tips to ensure school drop offs and pick-ups are safe and stress free as possible.

The night before

Like everything in life, preparation is key to a smooth school drop off. That’s why it pays to plan as much as possible the night before. School clothes, school books, pencil cases, lunch boxes (full of healthy snacks!), and ensuring everything has a name label on it are just a few of the things you’ll thank yourself for organising ahead of time. How are they getting to school?

Driving to school

Driving kids to school is the only way some parents manage multiple drop offs and starting work on time, however it can be stressful.

From double parking to illegal u-turns, we’ve all witnessed the dangerous driving that occurs in school zones. The recipe for success is obeying the road rules, planning your journey and using common sense.

Tips to safely manage the school drop off

• Drop the kids off and pick them up on the school side of the road in your school's designated drop-off and pick-up area. Calling out to them from across the road is dangerous because they may run to you without checking traffic.
• Park further down the street and walk kids to the school gate to avoid traffic congestion near the school gates.
• Ensure kids are in the right child car seat that is fitted and used correctly. Big school does not mean it’s time to get out of a child car seat.
• Get kids in and out of the car using the ‘safety door’ (kerb side of the road away from traffic).
• It’s also a good idea to make sure that your car is ready for the trip. You can book your car in for a service at one of our car servicing centres, where they can also make sure that any child seats are properly installed and in good order.
• And, it may sound silly, but make sure you’ve got enough fuel for the morning run – our mechanics are no strangers to rescuing parents on their drop off run. Speaking of, it’s a good idea to download the My NRMA app, which will help you find the best fuel prices and parking near you.

Walking to school together

Working from home has allowed many parents the ability to walk their child to school or even to ride together which is a great way to start the day. It also helps to model safe behaviours so children learn from you and use them when they are old enough to travel to school solo. Remember that children are easily distracted and unpredictable. They are still developing the skills to judge speed and identify dangerous situations. Children are also small which makes them harder to see for drivers.

Tips for a safe walk together to school

• Continue to hold your child's hand especially when crossing the road and in a car park.
• Explain why the place you have chosen is the safest place to cross.
• Remember to look out before you step out. Don't assume that a driver has seen you and will stop.
• Reinforce Stop!, Look!, Listen! and Think!
• Point out dangers along the way such as reversing cars out of driveways.

First day of high school and independent travel

Starting high school is a big milestone and with it comes a new level of independence. One of the best ways to prepare your child for this transition is by teaching them how to travel to school on their own.

If they're walking, riding or catching public transport for the first time, it’s best to do a run through with them to make sure they know exactly where they’re going.

Make a point of pointing out landmarks along the way, as that’s the easiest way for kids to remember where they’re going. Write down bus numbers or train platforms so it’s easy to remember.

Over the summer break, make this a fun and practical activity. Plan a few trial runs together, then let kids practice with their mates. It’s a great confidence booster and helps them feel ready for the first day.

Bus travel tips for high school kids

If your child will be catching the bus to school, here are some simple tips to make the ride smooth and stress-free:

• Plan ahead: Use the Transport for NSW Trip Planner or apps like Opal Travel to check routes and timetables.
• Get an Opal card: Make sure your child has a valid Opal card and knows how to tap on and off.
• Know the stops: Walk to the bus stop together and point out landmarks so they feel confident finding their way.
• Arrive early: Aim to be at the stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time. Stay safe: Remind them to wait back from the curb, board calmly, and hold on while the bus is moving.
• Respect others: Keep bags off seats, speak quietly, and follow the driver’s instructions.

Practicing these steps during the holidays will make the first day of high school less You can learn more about school bus travel from Transport NSW here.

Now relax – they’re in good hands

Once you’ve got them safely on their way, take a load off. It’s natural to worry, especially for the littlest ones, but they’ve got staff and teachers looking out for them, and they’re off making new friends and having exciting adventures. So get ready to hear all about it at dinner time.