For a variety of reasons, students should make the way to school on foot (or by bus) and not be driven to the school door in the parents’ taxi. However, due to their height, children are often not so easily perceived by other road users. It is therefore very important that the little ones, in addition to different behaviors, can be easily recognized by others through good visibility.
This good visibility can be enhanced by bright clothing and reflective elements on the satchel. But also by wearing a safety vest. Until recently there was a large association distributing safety vests with reflective tapes to first graders across the board. This action has always met with great approval from parents and also acceptance of the child’s carrying behavior.
For this reason, the Verden district decided to procure these safety vests for first graders in the future. “I am delighted that we can support such a meaningful campaign financially and that we are investing effectively in the safety of the children!” says Christian Groth, Head of the Order and Traffic Service. The vests were distributed by police officers from the Verden / Osterholz police station as part of a Corona-compliant visit to the schoolyard.
In this context, the advantages of walking were discussed again: “You get fresh air!”, “You move before school!”, “You protect the environment!” and “You can chat with your friends!” – it all came from the children themselves! That as a pedestrian you have to make sure that other road users can see you, especially in the darker months of the year – that too was a matter of course for many children! “We would like to ask parents to help their children wear the vests!” explains Anika Wrede, traffic safety advisor for the Verden police.”
Among other things, children learn from role models and are dependent on adults practicing correct behavior in traffic with them and setting an example.” “Matze – the zebra” is shown on the back of the vests. Matze was chosen because it is a nationwide symbol of back to school. “Matze would like to accompany you on your way and always be there when you are out in the twilight or the dark!”