Increased Vigilance on Roads: School Term Commences This Week

In the bustling city of Hamm, the safety of its young residents is a top priority, particularly when it comes to road safety. As the new school year approaches, with 27 primary schools welcoming around 1,700 first-graders on August 28, it's crucial that parents and guardians take precautions to ensure their children's safety while traveling to and from school.

The Hamm Police have provided a series of road safety tips for parents and guardians. These tips can be obtained from the Hamm Police Headquarters, or through their official website at https://hamm.polizei.nrw/. For further information, you can contact the Hamm Police Headquarters at [email protected] or telephone number 02381 916-1006. The current police chief of the Police Headquarters Hamm is Jürgen Borchert.

In 2024, a total of 55 children were injured in road accidents in Hamm. Of these incidents, two school route accidents occurred, resulting in 31 children being direct participants in the accidents, and 24 being passengers. It's important to note that these statistics underscore the significance of road safety, especially when children are involved.

To address this issue, the Hamm police and city will conduct increased safety checks around schools for the next few weeks. The focus of these checks will be on several key areas: parking behavior near schools, which can create additional hazards for schoolchildren; compliance with speed limits; child restraint systems; school buses; and cycling behavior.

One area of concern is the practice of "Elterntaxis" (parents driving children to school), where children are often driven right up to the classroom. This practice can lead to congestion and increased risk for accidents. Instead, it's recommended that parents park a safe distance away and allow their children to walk the rest of the way.

Additionally, prevention experts will conduct 30 km/h actions at various primary schools to promote a safer environment for schoolchildren. This initiative aims to reduce the speed of vehicles near schools, thereby minimising the risk of accidents.

Remember, it's essential to be vigilant about road safety at all times. By following these tips, parents and guardians can play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of Hamm's schoolchildren. Let's work together to make our city's roads safer for everyone.