Research by Geodienst RUG and RTL shows that 10,000 traffic accidents occurred around schools over a three-year period (between 2014 and 2017). VVN's Flash Poll from 2022 shows that only 41% of parents consider traffic safe for their children. Parents find it very nerve-racking to let their children go - literally and figuratively - out into traffic on their own. View VVN's fact sheet for more facts and figures about traffic safety around schools.

Tips for parents

Letting your child go out into traffic independently can be nerve-racking. But taking part in traffic is very educational for your child. Read about five benefits of walking or cycling to school.

Five things parents should ‘never forget’:

  • Agree on which days you will walk or cycle to school together.
  • Need to drive to school one day after all? Park a little farther away and walk the last part.
  • Park where it is permitted and where your child can get out safely.
  • Practicing together regularly helps your child participate independently in traffic. Teach your child about traffic with our fun materials.
  • Is your child getting older? Discuss at home how to deal with smartphone use in traffic and how your child can handle peer pressure.

Get inspired by the story of Maud, mother of Amé (9). Or by the conversation with Jaap (92) and Truus (87) about how things were done in the past.

Want to do more as a parent? Receive free tailored advice

Do you think traffic safety around the school needs to be improved? And would you like to work on this together with other parents? Request VVN's free questionnaire. It helps you map out how other parents view traffic in the area around the school. VVN will then advise you on how to create an action plan for a traffic-safe school environment together with the school and other parents.

Tips for schools and municipalities

VVN helps municipalities and schools make the school environment safer through the VVN Safe School Environment project. For this purpose, VVN involves the school, children and parents. Evaluations have shown VVN that at least 85% of parents want to make agreements about dropping off and picking up children. On average, 10 parents per school also want to actively help improve traffic safety. In addition, VVN supports VVN Traffic Parents, who are committed to practical traffic lessons and traffic safety at their child's school. Want to start on a smaller scale? School staff can also use VVN's free questionnaire as a first step.

Tips for other road users

Traffic is a matter of people. That is why everyone can contribute to safety on the road. With the Taking part is easy campaign, VVN is drawing attention to this. What can you do, for example, to help create a safe school environment? Give children space, drive calmly and stay off your phone, and avoid school zones where possible.