Road Safety Learning within Curriculum for Excellence (CfE)

Despite the good progress made over the years, the road environment still represents one of the highest causes of accidental death to Scotland’s young people. It is important, therefore, to maintain the excellent road safety support that already exists in schools and communities.

Road Safety Scotland have developed two free road safety learning resources specifically for secondary school pupils, and linked to CfE. Both online resources aim to engage young people in developing road skills to promote good peer influence, and provide strategies to help them to look after themselves and others in the road environment.

Your Call (S1-S3) targets that ‘at risk’ age group with a range of interactive activities which explore risk-taking, decision making, personal safety, pre-driver attitudes and peer pressure. It embraces a learning style that is fundamental to CfE and provides teachers with flexible lesson plans that support the experiences and outcomes. Pupils are actively encouraged to discuss and share experiences, reflect and challenge their own behaviour, with a view to taking responsibility for their own safety and that of others. The resource focuses on relevant issues for the 11-14 age group, including two feature films which explore the impact a road accident can have on young lives –one from a pedestrian perspective for younger pupils and, for older pupils, with a passenger theme. It has mobile compatibility and can be used by both teachers and students using a tablet or mobile phone.

Crash Magnets (S4-S6) is aimed to help shape young people’s opinions and attitudes to issues such as speeding, drink driving, driver distraction, drug driving and in-car safety. The online activities are combined with DVD clips of other young people sharing experiences, with the aim being to encourage students to feel confident about expressing themselves in class about their own opinions and experiences. It seeks to engage them in the importance of positive attitudes and behaviours before they get behind the wheel of a car. The resource acknowledges that, at their age, driving a car has great benefits in developing independence and for some, defines them as an adult. However, this must be balanced with an understanding of the dangers of behaving irresponsibly at the wheel. Although activities are geared towards certain year groups, they are not prescriptive and allow for flexibility.

You can find out more about these resources at www.roadsafety.scot/children-and-educators/