As kindergarten students begin their school adventure, NRMA Insurance is helping children stay safe when travelling to and from school through its annual bus safety program.
Schools in the NSW Central West and Riverina regions participated in the program which offers students a fun lesson in bus and road safety.
NRMA Insurance partnered with NSW Police and local bus companies to deliver the program in local communities, which reached 33 schools and more than 1,400 school children in Wagga Wagga, Narrandera, Young, Forbes, Parkes, and Cowra.
Local NRMA Insurance proprietors for the areas, Christine Hillis and Sarah Wardman, said the community program is important for young children travelling to school for the first time.
“We are proud to organise a program with our community partners that is helping young children learn about the potential dangers when travelling in a vehicle or crossing the road,” Ms Wardman said.
Christine Hillis explained that NRMA Insurance’s bus safety program started 17 years ago, with the aim to increase the confidence and safety of young children in their trip to and from school.
The success of this initiative is demonstrated in the program running for nearly two decades, which has added to creating a safer environment for school kids and drivers on the road.Christine Hillis
NRMA Insurance proprietor
The bus and road safety lessons include classroom discussions, presentations, and an educational bus ride.
Through the bus safety program children learn to:
- Always stand two steps back from the kerb when waiting for the bus;
- Never push or shove each other or muck around at the bus stop;
- Wait for the bus to stop completely before getting on or off;
- Wait for the bus to move away from the kerb before you cross the road;
- Tell the driver straight away if you miss your stop;
- Discuss with your parent or guardian who is a ‘safe adult’; and
- Ask a parent or guardian to write your home phone number on the inside of your bag.