06/10/2025
🚸 School’s back – and so are school speed zones. Let’s take care. As we settle back into term time routines, it’s a timely reminder that school zones are active again – and the responsibility for road safety rests with us adults.
Children and young people often don't have fully developed skills in judging speed, distance, or how long it takes a car to stop. Children under 10 often lack the cognitive maturity to judge traffic speeds and safe gaps. Until at least age 12, many still need guidance and supervision when crossing roads. In fact, research suggests that these skills – especially things like impulse control, situational awareness, and decision-making – continue developing into the mid-teens.
That means kids might:
• step out unexpectedly
• misread a situation
• or be distracted
They’re learning – and they need us to lead the way.
👉 So please: slow down around schools. Stick to the speed limit. Take extra care at crossings.
👉 And model the kind of safe, calm behaviour you want your kids to copy.
While we’re at it – these moments are also a great opportunity to support your child’s own road safety skills:
✔️ Pause and talk through what’s happening at a crossing
✔️ Narrate your choices as a pedestrian
✔️ Let them see that being cautious is smart, not fearful
It takes a village – and every bit of patience, presence and predictability helps.
—
(Written by: Dr Matt O’Connor)
đź”— www.connectedcc.com.au
