Launch of school year with "Safer Schools" initiative in action
The new school year in Baden-Württemberg is approaching, with over a million students, including over 100,000 first-graders, set to begin on September 15, 2025. To ensure the safety of these young learners, a nationwide traffic safety campaign, "BE CAREFUL IN TRAFFIC," has taken on the "Safe School Route" initiative.
This joint effort involves the Ministry of Transport of Baden-Württemberg, local police authorities, schools, various traffic safety organizations, and even cities and municipalities. The goal is to maintain Baden-Württemberg as one of the safest states for children on the roads, with a vision of a road traffic system with no fatalities and severe injuries.
The "Safe School Route" encourages guardians to practice the correct route to school with children beforehand, paying close attention to dangerous spots, traffic lights, and pedestrian crossings. Police and municipalities will strictly enforce the speed limit around schools, check parking at pedestrian and bike paths, the technical condition of bicycles, and the safety of children in cars.
Reflective elements on clothing and backpacks significantly enhance the safety of students on their way to school. Large banners, posters, and actions will raise awareness about the start of school and sensitize road users to behave considerately and attentively.
Last year, in 2024, the police in Baden-Württemberg recorded a total of 378 school route incidents, which is around 11% fewer than the previous year (2023: 423). The number of lightly injured decreased from 391 to 339, and the number of severely injured decreased from 48 to 35. Unfortunately, like in 2023, one teenager died on their way to school in 2024.
The "Safe School Route" initiative is led by Interior Minister Thomas Strobl, who emphasizes the importance of special consideration for the youngest in road traffic. The initiative is a collaborative project between the Ministry of the Interior, for Digitalization and Municipalities, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
For more information about the "Safe School Route" initiative, you can contact the Press Office or the Citizen Representative of the Ministry of the Interior, for Digitalization and Municipalities. The Baden-Württemberg Police, the Center for School Quality and Teacher Training, the Road Safety Campaigns, cities, municipalities, and the partners of the statewide traffic safety campaign "[External: 'BE CAREFUL IN TRAFFIC' (Opens in new window)]" also support this initiative.
Let's work together to ensure the safety of our children on the roads. The "Safe School Route" initiative is a step in the right direction towards a safer and more considerate road traffic system in Baden-Württemberg.
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