WSTSD Walk safely to school

Walk Safely to School Day is an annual, national event when all Primary School children will be encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment.

The objectives of WSTSD are:

- To encourage parents and carers to walk to school with primary school age children and reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour.
- To promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age.
- To ensure that children up to 10 years old hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
- To help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.
- To reduce the car dependency habits that are being created at an early age and which will be difficult to change as children become adults.
- To promote the use of Public Transport.
- To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles.
- To reduce the level of traffic congestion.

WSTSD is an opportunity for parents and carers of Primary School aged children to promote safe pedestrian behaviour.

WSTSD will inform parents and carers that they need to closely supervise their young children, particularly those under 10 years of age, in all road environments, holding hands when near or crossing the road.

WSTSD will promote and inform parents, carers, teachers and children of the significant physical, mental and social health benefits which can be achieved through regular walking.

The event is proudly sponsored by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.

It is supported by the Australian Government, all State, Territory Governments and Local Governments and the Heart Foundation, Cancer Council, Diabetes Australia, Beyond Blue and the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Visit www.walk.com.au for more information and to find out how you can get involved.