Education Resumes in NRW: Police Offer Safety Guidelines for Schools

As the new school year begins in Dortmund, the city's police force is renewing its focus on ensuring the safety of students during their daily journeys to school. In recent years, there have been concerning incidents involving school route accidents, with five children injured in 2024 and six such incidents in 2023.

To create a safer environment around schools, parents can make a difference by avoiding 'drop-off and pick-up' traffic. This action helps reduce congestion, parking issues, and dangerous maneuvers, particularly at primary schools.

Children's safety on the road is a multifaceted issue, with factors such as weather, season, local conditions, and incorrect behaviour by drivers and pedestrians contributing to accidents. To improve visibility, children are encouraged to wear bright, reflective clothing or bags. Wearing a helmet while cycling is also strongly recommended, and it's crucial to ensure bicycles are in good technical condition for safe travel.

The Dortmund Police have taken an innovative approach to educating children about road dangers and safe behaviour. Their traffic puppet theater, located in Westfalenpark, is part of their road safety work. Here, kindergarten groups and primary school classes learn about these important topics in a playful and emotional manner.

Despite a slight decrease in incidents, the safety of young road users remains a concern for the police. Each child's school route is unique, and the causes of accidents can vary. Adults, especially parents, significantly influence road safety through their behaviour, as children tend to imitate them. Therefore, parents are encouraged to act as role models for safe road behaviour.

For more information, please visit the Dortmund Police's website or contact Theresa Stritzke at 0231/132-1026 or [email protected] for press inquiries. Particular attention is required in the area of bus stops, as motorists should be prepared for children suddenly stepping out between buses.

In addition to these measures, the Dortmund Police are dedicated to ensuring student safety during their daily journeys to school. By working together, we can create a safer environment for our children as they navigate their school routes.