Safe start to school: Police increase checks for primary school students!

Safe start to school: Police increase checks for primary school students!

Today, September 3, 2025, the school bells ring for the new school year in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Accompanied by a growing awareness of road safety, the police are focusing on the safety of “school starters” who are making their way to school. The Stralsund police station has decided to increase traffic safety on routes to school through various measures. [MV Police] reports that this includes, among other things, increased speed control near schools. A central concern is that road users act particularly considerately towards school children.

An alarming number illustrates the importance of these measures: In 2024, three accidents on the way to school occurred in the Vorpommer-Rügen district, in which two children between the ages of 6 and 10 were slightly injured. These incidents raise awareness that going to school is a risk for many children. It is all the more important that parents practice safe routes to school with their children and that children are properly secured in the vehicle.

Reflectors for more visibility

With the arrival of autumn and winter, the journey to school becomes even more dangerous due to poor visibility. According to [Lexika], twice as many children have accidents during this time compared to summer. The fact is: The visibility of children can be significantly increased through light-colored clothing and especially through reflectors. A child wearing dark clothing will only be visible to around 25 meters with low beam, while light clothing increases visibility to around 40 meters.

The police inform that school children's clothing should be reflective. Today, as part of the “Safety needs brains – DEKRA children’s caps” campaign, three first graders are receiving red baseball caps with reflective stripes. This measure is part of a larger campaign in which over 1,800 such caps will be distributed throughout the district to increase the visibility of children on their way to school.

Parents responsible

In addition to visibility, the correct behavior of drivers also plays a crucial role. [BMV] emphasizes that parents have a comprehensive responsibility to transport their children safely in the car. Children up to 12 years old or shorter than 150 cm must be secured in suitable child seats. Although 93% of children are currently secured in cars in an age-appropriate manner, only 52% are correctly secured in the child restraint system. This makes it clear that there is still a need for action.

Parents are called upon to pay attention to DIN standards that require reflective materials when purchasing school bags. It is also recommended to supplement winter jackets with high-visibility vests with reflectors to improve visibility in the dark.

The Stralsund police station encourages all vehicle drivers to be particularly careful near schools and to create a safe route to school for the little ones as quickly as possible. The appeal is clear: We can all contribute to greater safety so that the start of school is trouble-free for all students.

For a safe start to the school year, the police wish all children to come to school healthy and happy! Use the tips and look out for each other, because safety concerns us all.