Council urges parents to avoid cars and let children walk or cycle to first day of school

As children across Denmark prepare to embark on their first day of school, the Danish Road Safety Council is advising parents against driving them to class. The council's primary recommendation is for children to walk or cycle, a move intended to alleviate traffic congestion and prevent dangerous situations that often arise near schools on this busy day.

Jakob Bøving Arendt, CEO of the Road Safety Council, emphasized that while driving might seem helpful, it can paradoxically create more hazardous conditions due to the sheer volume of cars. "Therefore, we urge parents to spend a little time practicing the school route with their child, so the child becomes confident walking or cycling," he stated in a press release.

Arendt acknowledges that for some families, driving may be unavoidable. In such cases, he suggests parking a short distance away from the school to reduce the immediate traffic density. The council's advice focuses on fostering independence and safety for young students as they begin their educational journey, promoting active travel and reducing reliance on vehicles for short school commutes.

“

Therefore, we urge parents to spend a little time practicing the school route with their child, so the child becomes confident walking or cycling.