Whole-school approach to road safety education

A whole-school approach to road safety education is a comprehensive strategy that integrates road safety into all aspects of school life. It involves collaboration between students, staff, families, and the wider community to create a safe and supportive environment that promotes responsible road user behaviour.

This 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.

Example of whole school approach implementation

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.