More than a million students travel to and from school every day in New South Wales and today the NSW Government and Pedestrian Council of Australia is urging children and families to leave the cars at home and choose to walk to mark National Walk Safely to School Day.
The annual event is part of National Road Safety Week and all primary school children where possible are encouraged to walk safety to school.
To find out more about Walk Safely to School Day.
NSW Roads Minister, John Graham said:
"Walking with your child to school is a great opportunity to talk to them about road safety and demonstrate the different ways they can stay safe as a pedestrian.
"One of the best examples to school children are our school crossing supervisors whose job it is to demonstrate clearly to kids where and when it is safe to cross the road.
"With more than 1400 supervisors at over 1170 crossings near 950 schools in the state, these local heroes are a vital part of our school communities."
NSW Regional Roads Minister, Jenny Aitchison said:
"Living in rural areas comes with its own set of challenges for children on their daily commute to school, such as having to travel longer distances or being more exposed to higher-speed traffic on regional roads.
"To make the trip to school safer for country kids, the Australian and NSW Government is working with local councils to roll out critical safety infrastructure in school zones such as raised pedestrian crossings, fencing and signage, as part of the $40 million School Zone Infrastructure Sub Program for regional NSW.
"This program complements the safety benefits of over 6500 school zone flashing lights that we have at schools across the state.
"Every school in NSW now has at least one set of flashing lights to warn drivers to slow down and watch out for kids. Additionally, more than 500 schools with multiple busy entrances have extra flashing lights to provide further protection."
Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby said:
"There's overwhelming evidence to prove that children who walk before or during school will perform better, mentally and physically.
"If parents and carers have to drive, try leaving the car a good distance from school and walk the rest of the way. That way you won't be contributing to traffic around the school and emitting dangerous particulates which can cause respiratory and other dangerous health problems. And everyone gets in a walk."
