Walk Safely to School Day

Wednesday, 30 April 2008

This Friday 2nd May, primary school students, parents, and teachers across the Hastings are encouraged to walk to school as part of 'Walk Safely to School Day'.

The 'Walk Safely to School Day' campaign is designed to highlight the importance of developing healthy walking habits in children at a young age while retaining an emphasis on teaching children how to behave safely in traffic.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's Road Safety Co-ordinator, Karen Thompson said, "By encouraging parents to walk with their children, we hope families will become more aware of the importance of regular activity.

"We want to see plenty of local parents and carers walking their children to school on Friday. Schools are also encouraged to participate, Mrs Thompson said.

"Walking is also good for parents and carers. By regularly parking the car up to one kilometre away from the school, they can get some exercise and enjoy the social interaction with other parents and carers that goes with peak drop off and pick up times at the school.

"Walking all or part of the way to and from school also helps to reduce the number of
potentially dangerous traffic hazards caused by traffic congestion around schools. Reduced traffic is also good for the environment with fewer car trips equalling less greenhouse gas emissions," Mrs Thompson said.

Walk Safely to School Day is organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia and is supported by a range of organisations, including Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.