SAFETY GOES TO SCHOOL

Statistics show that traffic trauma takes 20 times more children's lives than drugs and kidnappings combined, and more children lose their lives while biking or walking than riding cars. A child traffic safety education program initiated with the help of the Florida Department of Transportation is described. The program aimed at making all children predictable and competent to deal with traffic for life. Today, more than 100 of the 225 schools in Dade County offer 12 lessons per year in traffic safety education. Nearly 400 schools are offering the program in 8 of the largest of Florida's 67 counties. The program is being offered in grades 3, 4, and five. The program harnesses the time and talent of grade school physical education teachers and aids. The history of the development of the program is described. It is suggested that administrators from other states attend Florida's training courses, study the curriculum and see how lessons are taught. The principles can then be applied in the administrators' own settings.