TEACH THEM TRAFFIC SENSE.

Mt Benger Mail, 21 September 1938, Page 4

TEACH THEM TRAFFIC SENSE.

With the constant increase of traffic and danger consequently lurking in every city street and at every village corner, children should certainly be taught traffic sense (says a writer in Home Chat). In spite of our admirable control, it is appalling the number of children that are brought into the accident wards of hospitals with limbs broken, bodies smashed, and facial beauty marred; they arc cripples, perhaps, for ever.

Every time I hear of a boy or girl who will never be able to run about and join in the games of other children, I feel I must urge all mothers, and urge it strongly, to give the children at least a sporting chance in our trafficriddled streets, by teaching them traffic sense.

Let the training begin when the children are young—at the age of three or four. Take them with you and instruct them in the proper and safe way of crossing the road. Not, however, by ins I dling fear of traffic into them (which would be very bad for their nerves and may in itself lead to accidents), but by helping them to use their common sense.

Teach them to look well before stepping off the pavement, and in a very busy street never to step off at all unless there is a refuge “island” to make for. Then, quickly but without fluster, they may cross in safety. In streets less busy, where there are no islands, teach them to - look well both ways, and, above all, to wait until there is a good clear space in the roadway. Never tire of telling them to wait for that. There is sure to be a lull in the traffic sooner or later. Tell them that no matter what their errand may be, whether they are off to buy sweets or are on their way to schoof, nothing is so important as their own safety. Encourage the children to be independent, to use their own judgment and not to rely wholly on yours, otherwise the training will be of no use.

It is muck wiser to train children in this way before they commence school, otherwise, when they are suddenly bereft of your care, they will naturally be bewildered and terrified by the traffic, with, possibly, distastrous results. Teach them the meaning of the traffic signals. This is as important for village children as well as for town ones. Already many accidents have occurred among country children visiting the town, because they did not understand the signals.

Village children should always be aware of the danger of winding lanes. The warning hoot of a car should never bo ignored. In very narrow lanes it is safest to walk on the grass. Make your children realise that to run in front of an on-coming car or lorry may cost them their lives or limbs. A vivid picture of a boy or girl unable to play games and enjoy life will do much towards emphasising the danger of such bravado. Never allow the children to play games in the streets. Every town has its playing fields, and even small back gardens are better than the streets. As the children grow older and begin to cycle they should be taught the highway code. This is just as important for the cyclist as the motorist, and, once understood, means co-operation with motorists rather than fear and hostility. The earlier the highway code is taught the lesser the danger of accidents in the future, when our streets are likely to become more trafficcongested than ever. Eomember, it is never too early to teach traffic sense, but it can very easily be too late. Begin it to-day. Explain to them the meaning of the "traffic crossings” and encourage them to use these whenever possible. And do be wise and teach the children to put their trust in your local policemen. ISo many mothers scare their children —perhaps without realising the damage they are doing—with tales about "the policeman is coming to take you away if you are naughty.” Encourage the children to regard the "man in blue” as an ordinary person —and not as some frightening "bogey man.” They will not be frightened to ask the policeman’s help if they find themselves alone in a crowded thoroughfare, or —that most terrifying experience for a small chid—if they are lost.