Walk Safely to School Day
Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual, national event when all Primary School children will be encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment.
It will be held throughout Australia on Friday 7 May 2010
The objectives of WSTSD are:
- To encourage parents and carers to walk to school with primary school age children and reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour.
- To promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age.
- To ensure that children up to 10 years old hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
- To help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.
- To reduce the car dependency habits that are being created at an early age and which will be difficult to change as children become adults.
- To promote the use of Public Transport.
- To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles.
- To reduce the level of traffic congestion.
Background and Details of the Event
WSTSD is an opportunity for parents and carers of Primary School aged children to promote safe pedestrian behaviour.
WSTSD will inform parents and carers that they need to closely supervise their young children, particularly those under 10 years of age, in all road environments, holding hands when near or crossing the road.
WSTSD will promote and inform parents, carers, teachers and children of the significant physical, mental and social health benefits which can be achieved through regular walking.
The event is proudly sponsored by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
It is supported by the Australian Government, all State, Territory Governments and Local Governments and the Heart Foundation, Cancer Council, Diabetes Australia, Beyond Blue and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Promotional Kits
A kit containing WSTSD stickers and posters will be posted to every Primary School (Public, Catholic and Private) in Australia in early March 2010.
WSTSD kits will also be sent to all Councils throughout Australia.
How your school can be involved?
On Friday 7 May 2010, we want you to participate in Walk Safely to School Day.
We want to encourage all parents, carers and teachers to promote safe walking to children.
You can encourage others to participate in the following ways:
- Use our information in your newsletters.
- Encourage students to colour in the WSTSD poster: (link)
- Ask your local P&C to help support the event
- Host a Healthy Breakfast at your school (see recommendations): (link)
- Tell your friends, parents, carers and teachers about the event
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Suggest to parents and carers who have to drive, to park the car at least 10 minutes away from the school.
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Register your school as a WSTSD Ambassador to permit and assist with publicty.
For more information check this web-site regularly, telephone the Pedestrian Council of Australia: (02) 9968-4555 or email us: walking@walk.com.au
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