We have joined with the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation and the University of NSW (Transport and Road Safety Research Centre). The aim is to assess child pedestrian safety around local childcare centres within the Georges River Local Government Area (GR LGA).

Education will be provided so that the number of accidents continue to decrease. This needs to occur from a very young age and to new parents and carers. Everyone needs to know the importance of child safety and the prevention of road trauma. Thus, this project with the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation, will raise awareness of child safety around vehicles.
 

About the study

The study will take place across 10 childcare centres within the GR LGA. We have listed what this would involve below.

• A pre-survey of attitudes about child pedestrian road safety.

• Community awareness/educational resources to preschools and after school care facilities.

• A post-survey of attitudes to child pedestrian road safety to gauge the impact of the project.

At the end of the project, the awareness and educational materials will remain at the centres.

The results will be available on the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation website at the end of the year.
 

Why is this initiative important?

The Australian Road Deaths Database outlines the following:

• Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for Australian children aged 1 to 14.

• From 2013 to January 2023, 587 children aged 0-16 years were in a road fatality crash. 22% of these fatalities occurring when the child was a pedestrian or a cyclist.

• On average, one child per week dies in Australia this way, and it is preventable.

How can you help keep children safe near roads?

• We know it is important for children to wear a seatbelt when travelling in a vehicle. It is also important to teach children how to stay safe when walking near roads and traffic

• Children under 10 years old should hold an adult's hand when near or crossing a road.

• Continue reminding older children to pay attention and stay alert around roads.

• Talk to your children regularly about road safety and safe behaviour.

• Young children are still learning how to judge traffic, crossing locations, and the actions of drivers. They may not always recognise danger or make safe decisions.

• Take extra care when visiting new places or during holidays. Busy roads, shopping areas, schools, parks, and car parks can have a lot of traffic and people. Road crashes can happen very quickly.

• Speed is a major factor in serious road crashes. Even at lower speeds, a child can be seriously injured if hit by a vehicle.

Participating childcare facilities

How Georges River Council Supporting Our Community?

Council is committed to improving child pedestrian safety through community road safety education and awareness initiatives.

Council will deliver online road safety campaigns throughout the year to promote safe behaviours around roads, driveways and vehicles, and to raise awareness among parents, carers and young children.
 

Further Information

For more information, visit the Transport for NSW Road Safety factsheet Hold your child's hand.