CTCS launches new teaching resource

A new teaching resource that uses physical exercise and movement to teach road safety to children was launched by the Children’s Traffic Club in Scotland (CTCS) recently. The CTCS is administered by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign.

According to Lewis Macdonald, deputy minister for enterprise, transport and lifelong learning, the new ‘Gym Cards’ will make learning about road safety more fun. The minister was speaking as he visited a Glasgow nursery school to see the new cards in use. The cards use physical exercises and sounds to raise awareness of crossing the road, playing safely and the dangers of traffic.

"These Gym Cards are available to all nursery and playgroups in Scotland," Lewis Macdonald said. "The Scottish Executive is determined to reduce the number of children killed and injured on Scotland’s roads and some good progress has been made. In 2001 the number of children killed and seriously injured on the roads was 36 per cent below the level of the mid 1990s but there is still a long way to go. We must continue to look for ways to encourage children to take on the lessons of road safety in a way that makes it fun to learn."

The CTCS was launched by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign in 1995 and is funded by the Scottish Executive. An invitation to join the club is sent to all children in Scotland around their third birthday.

"Nurseries and playgroups can be important in laying the foundations for road safety education," added Nicol Stephen, deputy minister for education. "Gym cards will provide them with a practical, effective and fun tool to link road safety with health and fitness.

"Children’s traffic clubs have a positive influence on the behaviour and attitudes of members and their carers. They can play a vital role in the drive to improve children’s awareness of personal safety issues."

For further information about this article please contact Victoria Bowman, 0131 244 5181 /07767412061, or visit www.scotland.gov.uk.