Decreased student absenteeism observed in South Western regions.
Updated School Route Safety Report
Navigating the path to school carries risks, yet incidents are on a positive decline: The Baden-Württemberg police recorded 374 (2023: 423) traffic accidents on school routes last year- a decrease of more than 12% compared to the previous year. This figure is significantly lower than pre-pandemic years, as reported by the Ministry of Interior upon query. In 2024, 35 children and young people suffered severe injuries, while 339 sustained minor injuries in school route accidents. Regrettably, one schoolchild lost their life in the southwest last year, with a similar fatality reported in the year prior.
Total incidents involving children on the roads also saw a decrease in 2024, falling from 1,805 to 1,739. A total of 2,516 children were hurt in traffic accidents in the southwest last year. Unfortunate news, 14 children aged 0 to 13 lost their lives on the roads in 2024, a substantial increase from the previous year where only one fatality was reported.
Nearly 30,000 Vehicle Checks
The police recently intensified their focus on child safety in traffic through a special action day. Over 500 control points across the country were set up near schools, kindergartens, and sports facilities, resulting in around 29,700 vehicles being stopped and checked.
The outcome was nearly 5,000 registered violations. "More than 47% were driving at increased speed," lamented Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU). "Speeding near schools and kindergartens can lead to catastrophic consequences. Everyone, really everyone, must drive with increased caution and awareness in these areas."
Another outcome of the operation: Officers found that children in vehicles were not properly secured 430 times, for example, a child seat was missing or incorrectly set up.
Additional Insights:- While specific data on child traffic accidents in Baden-Württemberg may not be readily available, education, infrastructure improvements, legal measures, community engagement, and technological innovations are implemented across Germany to promote child safety in traffic [1].
[1] These measures include educational programs, road infrastructure improvements, mandatory use of child seats, community awareness campaigns, and advanced safety features in vehicles.
In light of the ongoing efforts to ensure child safety, it's essential to consider expanding educational programs not just to cover science and health-and-wellness, but also sports and fitness-and-exercise, as these can help improve children's understanding of safety precautions in various environments, including sports facilities and outside play areas.
The recent focus on child safety in traffic by the police, as seen in their special action day that included checks near schools, kindergartens, and sports facilities, demonstrated a need for continued vigilance and improvement in driver behavior, particularly with regards to speeding near these areas.
