No road sense!

[1400spincycle]

When did your DCs start to show they had road sense?

DD is almost 10 and is beginning to ask about going out on her own ( to the local park, to call on a friend, to the local corner shop etc.). But I don’t trust her road sense.

We have (of course) been teaching her road safety since she was a toddler. She has done bike ability and road safety at school and cubs. She is a bright high achiever. But she is just so easily distracted.

Twice this afternoon I had to step in - she looked the wrong way at a junction stepped out on the red man… then she saw a friend across the road and went to run over! Both in busy places where cars were coming.

Clearly she is not ready to go out on her own but lots of her friends seem to be starting to go about? Does anyone have any suggestions about extra road safety resources?

No way! Nowhere near ready she seems very easily distracted so I wouldn’t risk it.

Just keep trying her out and about with you that’s all you can do really.

Is she going into y6 and will be walking to school?

One of my dc is nearly 10 and I'm still waiting for his Road sense to kick in, despite being taught about road safety I'm still waiting!

In my experience, my DD only gained it with independence and practise. I gave her 4 or 5 tries walking 20 metres behind. Just far enough to shout if needed, but actually it is only through needing to be road aware that she developed it. But to be fair, she was 8 when we started trying after years of cycling on roads together. Your DD doesn't sound ready. Try walking and bussing together so she can learn to navigate lower risk things.

Thanks - we do cycle with her on the road. But I keep her right next to me - even though her younger sibling is ok to ride in front. I am just hoping her sense of self preservation begins to kick in soon as she will be in year 6 and wanting more independence.

How's her concentration normally?
I'd always let her lead on walks and not correct her if she goes the wrong way so she realises she has to be thinking. If she goes to step out pull her back and say you almost got hit .....does she know how serious it is?

She's relying on you because you're there. At 10 she's old enough to take responsibility for herself. I'd let her call for a friend, see how it goes.

.....does she know how serious it is?

Through a local charity we support she is aware of people with catastrophic life changing injuries. Some of whom are young people who have been pedestrians hit by cars. It doesn’t get more serious than that.

I think I must have been about 7 when I was allowed out on my own, to walk to school etc.

In the good old days we had it drummed into us that if we didn't obey the crossing code a giant man would materialise and threaten us.

So double reason to pay attention really.