Parents and carers are responsible for their child’s safety when travelling to and from school. The department encourages all children and their families to be safe active travellers.

Benefits of walking

Walking together offers numerous benefits:

• promotes physical activity
• provides quality time to talk and connect with your child
• teaches and reinforces safe pedestrian behaviours
• helps reduce traffic congestion
• lowers your carbon footprint.

Keeping your child safe

Many children enjoy walking to school for its social, independent, and outdoor aspects. To keep them safe Transport for NSW recommends:

• Under 8 years old: always hold your child’s hand when walking on the footpath, in car parks, and when crossing roads.
• Ages 8-10 years old: supervise closely near traffic and when crossing roads.
• Ages 11 and above: regularly remind them to be responsible pedestrians by:
  • walking on the left side of the footpath
  • watching for vehicles entering or leaving driveways
  • keeping mobile phones and earphones away to avoid distractions
  • using designated crossings like pedestrian crossings, traffic lights, or school crossings
  • walking facing the traffic if there are no footpaths
  • showing respect to other pedestrians.

Some tips to discuss with your child on your journey

Choose safe crossings

Set a good example by selecting safe places to cross the road. Explain to your child why these locations are the safest options.

Be a good role model

Your child learns by watching you, so if you use designated crossings, they will be more likely to do the same. Share these practices with other caregivers who may accompany your child to school.

Practice Stop, Look, Listen, Think

Reinforce this key road safety message: STOP! One step back from the curb. LOOK! Continuously in both directions. LISTEN! For approaching traffic. THINK! About whether it's safe to cross.

Practice Makes Perfect

The more supervised practice your child gets, the better. Consider making this term the start of a new routine by walking with your child to school more frequently.

Other information

• Walking safely (PDF 1292 KB) DoE (Translations are available in 36 languages)
• Safety town - families walking together (Transport for NSW)
• pedestrian crossings (Transport for NSW)