Whole school approach to road safety
A whole-school approach involves schools, parents, carers and the wider community working collaboratively to create a sustained, safe and supportive environment where students can learn, understand, practise and apply road safety knowledge and skills.
A whole-school approach focuses on three key areas.
Curriculum
Road safety education is embedded within teaching and learning to build students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes for safe travel.
This includes:
- Integrating road safety into PDHPE and other relevant learning areas
- Using age-appropriate, evidence-based teaching resources
- Providing professional learning to support teachers in delivering quality road safety education
- Encouraging student leadership through initiatives such as peer programs, student councils, or road safety ambassadors
- Developing students’ critical thinking and decision-making skills related to road use
Policy, environment and culture
Schools create a culture that prioritises safe travel through clear policies, planning, and safe environments.
This includes:
- Implementing departmental road safety education procedures and policies
- Including road safety in school planning and risk management processes
- Following duty of care responsibilities for student travel safety
- Maintaining a safe physical environment with appropriate signage, crossings, and pick-up and drop-off zones
- Working with local councils and authorities to improve traffic and pedestrian safety around the school
Parents, carers and community partnerships
Road safety is a shared responsibility between schools, families, and the community.
This includes:
- Supporting families to reinforce safe travel behaviours
- Engaging parents and carers in decision-making about safe travel
- Promoting positive role-modelling of safe road use
- Partnering with organisations such as police, transport authorities, and road safety experts
- Accessing resources and expertise from government and community organisations
By addressing curriculum, policy and environment, and community partnerships, a whole-school approach ensures students and the wider school community are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to travel safely and responsibly.
A whole school approach in action
Perthville Public School is an example of a school implementing a whole school approach working with the Road Safety Education Officers. Please watch this video to see how they improved the road safety at their school.