Konferens: Road safety on four continents: 16th international conference, 2013, Beijing, China

Traffic is constantly around us, that is why we must help our children to relate to traffic. We can do so by providing them with the right tools to use in different situations. If our children get Transport Training (together with adults) they will learn how to react in traffic. Then children will become more independent and will be able to get to and from various destinations, without being dependent on their parents. It is very important to help parents understand that they are a part of the issue too, when it comes to road safety. A child doesn´t act like it´s told to, it acts like you do. All adults need to be good role models. If we can accomplish that, it would be a lot easier for our children in traffic. Since the 1990’s, the Streets and Parks Department in Malmö has been supporting local schools with their road safety education. The site www.malmo.se/trafiksakraskolan (Road Safety School) offers activities, courses and competitions. The Department has also developed materials for all grades from pre-school through to high school. The materials are continuously updated. Schools can also borrow other materials and/or participate in activities that can be implemented into theme days. Teacher's guidance at staff meetings is also offered. Among other things, reflectors are distributed to all children in the first four grades. There are also school projects which inspire children to walk or cycle to school by cooperating with the schools. Additionally we are providing information to parents and organizing fun activities for the children. Everything offered is free for schools in Malmö. Many other municipalities in Sweden are using all or parts of Malmö's material. In the Swedish curriculum plan from 201,1 traffic is now included. A survey conducted by the Streets and Parks Department, shows that teachers work with road safety education in various ways. They are pleased with both the initiatives from the Street and Parks Departments and also the provided materials. They see it as an educational tool and find it useful even though it is not used in the same way. Teachers know that students like the materials and the received feedback from parents is positive. Now the Streets and Parks Department has got a new challenge. The schools are asking for more support when it comes to meetings for parents, theme days and so on. It seems like the positive cooperation has developed a larger interest for traffic and road safety in the schools. If so, then we are on the right track.