Hello, little friends! 🧡
Do you remember, when you have ever crossed the road with your parents or when you observed many cars passing by? We cannot imagine our life without roads, but at the same time it can be fatal if we mishandle ourselves on the roads.
What Does It Mean to Walk Safely?
Safe walking is understood as the capability of massive pedestrian
movement on the road without creating conditions for potential hazardous
situations. It’s like playing a game but instead of general rules we should
follow the special rules, and, in this game, the victory is that we don’t get hit
by a car!
These roads should be visualized as a field where cars, buses,
bicycles are all participants of the play. There are rules for the walkers too,
to walk on the road.
·
Using footpath for most of the time.
·
Cross the road at zebra crossing, the lines which
makes cars slowdown.
· Grab the hand of an adult while walking on roads.
Why Is It Important to Walk Safely?
It is a known fact that each year a large number of people are
injured or die in road crashes in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, many of them are
kids. ☹
Let’s look at some reasons why accidents happen:
·
Not knowing traffic rules: Suppose
you have a toy car that you are controlling but don’t know when to steer left
or right and even how to apply brakes. That is a situation that results from
ignorance of traffic regulations among individuals.
·
Carelessness: Of
course, kids sometimes play right on roadsides or quickly cross the street not
even bothering to look.
·
Busy roads: On daily basis there are
many vehicles on the same lane, this increases the rate of accidents in cities.
Often, we hear questions like, so why should we follow traffic
rules?
·
Avoid Accidents: So that
we do not witness dreadful incidents as two vehicles crashing into one another.
·
Reduce Traffic Jam: In order
not to be congested by traffic jam so that everyone can arrive safely.
· Save Lives: As a pedestrian like us we would like to see others helping to save more lives.
How Can We Walk Safely?
Once upon a time, people didn’t have that many cars as they do
now. Roads were basically paths and walking was quite possible. But now, thanks
to all the cars and buses on the road, we have to be more careful.
Here are some easy ways to stay safe:
1.
Always hold hands: If you
are with your parents, then get hold of their hands even when moving close to
the roads.
2.
Use zebra crossings or bridges: These
are such zones where you can walk through safely.
3.
Stop, look, and listen: Do not
cross a road without stopping, look left and right and be alert if there is any
approaching vehicle.
4.
Avoid distractions: Do not
play or use toys on or by the road nor traffic.
5. Follow traffic lights: Green light is a go but go only where the zebra crossing indicates.
A Story to Remember
Allow me to introduce little Rafi to you. One day, he was
attempting to chasing his ball that rolled to the middle of the road. His
mother promptly cut him short and told him “Rafi, stop! ALWAYS look for cars
before stepping on the road.” Rafi listened, and guess what? That was just
enough to avert a serious crash for him.
As it is the case with Rafi, you can also be smart and careful
at the same time. The road is not fields or playgrounds nor corridors for
strolling but for walking with safety.
What Can You Do?
·
Tell your friends to be cautious when around
roads.
·
Tell your family what you learnt today.
· For your parents, you should also tell them to conduct road-crossing practice with you.
Such rules are not just written; they are more of a code of
conduct; one way of expressing affection for yourself and everyone around. This
is why I want to assure that safe decisions are being made all the time! 💫
Be safe and keep on smiling little road warriors! 💪
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