Teaching Children Rail Safety
Bringing Awareness of Rail Safety Programs to Educate Young Children
Rail safety is a crucial topic that deserves attention from all members of our community, especially our youngest citizens. With Australia's rail network being the sixth largest in the world, we must educate children about staying safe around rail environments.
The TrackSAFE Foundation has launched the Thomas & Friends Rail Safety Program, specifically designed for children aged 3-5, to instil safe behaviours from an early age. If you have kids or know someone with children in daycare or preschool, let's encourage them to teach kids about rail safety.
Along the way, we can educate parents about these vital practices as well. By supporting each other, we can save lives.
Why Teach Rail Safety?
High Exposure to Trains and Train Tracks
Australia's extensive rail network spans 44,000 km of track and includes 23,000 level crossings. Much of this network is unfenced, presenting significant safety challenges. Every day, an estimated 250,000 Australian school students use the rail network to commute to school, with many travelling unsupervised.
This high level of exposure continues during weekends and school holidays, as students from both urban and rural areas use trains and level crossings.
Common Risk-Taking Behaviors
Unfortunately, risky behaviour near rail environments is common among young people. Rail operators report frequent instances of students taking unnecessary risks, such as standing too close to platform edges or crossing tracks unsafely.
These behaviours often stem from distraction, complacency, unfamiliarity, or peer pressure. For some, particularly those engaging in vandalism or graffiti, these actions are deliberate, driven by a sense of invincibility.
Catastrophic Consequences
The consequences of unsafe behaviour around rail environments can be devastating. On average, there are 109 fatalities on the Australian rail network annually, with 76 being suicides. Additionally, there are nearly as many attempted suicides, around 30 injuries at level crossings or due to trespassing, and approximately 2,000 near misses each year. These incidents highlight the urgent need for comprehensive rail safety education.
The Thomas & Friends Rail Safety Program
The TrackSAFE Foundation's Thomas & Friends Rail Safety Program offers an engaging way to teach young children about rail safety. Utilizing beloved characters from the Thomas & Friends series, the program provides age-appropriate lessons that are both fun and educational. These resources are designed to captivate young minds while imparting essential safety knowledge.
Engaging Children
Children aged 3-5 are at a critical stage of development, where they are highly impressionable and eager to learn. By using familiar characters like Thomas the Tank Engine, the program effectively communicates safety messages in a relatable and memorable way.
Activities include stories, games, and interactive sessions that highlight the importance of staying safe around rail tracks and trains.
Involving Parents
Educating children about rail safety is a collective effort that requires parental involvement. The program encourages parents to participate in the learning process, providing them with resources and tips to reinforce safety messages at home.
This dual approach ensures that safety lessons are consistently reinforced, both in educational settings and at home.
Supporting Each Other to Save Lives
By embracing rail safety education, we can create a safer environment for our children. The TrackSAFE Foundation's resources, including the Thomas & Friends Rail Safety Program, offer valuable tools for parents, educators, and caregivers to teach young children about the importance of rail safety.
Let's come together as a community to support these initiatives. Whether you have children or know someone with young kids, let's spread the word about the importance of rail safety education. By working together, we can make a significant impact and potentially save lives.
For more information on the Thomas & Friends Rail Safety Program and other TrackSAFE Education resources, please visit the TrackSAFE Foundation's website. Together, we can ensure our children grow up safe and informed about the rail environments around them.
