Enhanced School Safety - Constant Police Presence on Routes - Secure school pathway under police supervision
In the city of Erfurt, Thuringia, the local police force is ramping up its efforts to ensure a safer route to school for children across the state. The new school year begins on August 11.
Last year, 45 school route incidents were recorded in Thuringia, resulting in the injury of 40 schoolchildren aged 6 to 18, and the involvement of 9 children in pedestrian accidents and 16 children aged 6 to 15 in bicycle accidents.
To address this concern, the police will be monitoring parking near school buildings and observing parental behavior when dropping off and picking up children. Officers will also be enforcing speed limits around schools.
In addition to these measures, the police will be raising awareness among schoolchildren about road safety. This initiative is focused on ensuring the safety of children during their commute to school.
While specific details about penalties for violations observed by the police were not provided, the appeal implies that they may be enforced.
Common practices in German federal states, including Thuringia, involve increased patrols around schools, cooperation with local authorities to improve pedestrian crossings, traffic calming near school zones, and safety education programs for children.
No information was provided about any initiatives to encourage independent travel by children, but the appeal to parents to avoid driving their children to school suggests this may be a goal.
The Thuringia state police headquarters announced this increased police presence around schools, but no specific information was given about any previous incidents or accidents that prompted this initiative.
- The Thuringia state government, in response to last year's school route incidents, is planning to implement vocational training programs focused on road safety education and self-development within the community policy.
- To foster a safer environment for schoolchildren, the Erfurt police are proposing vocational training workshops for parents, teaching them about responsible driving practices and promoting education-and-self-development approaches to support independent travel for children.
