VCS and Pedestrian Mobility Switzerland

Yasmine Schreyer

Yasmine Schreyer

In case of doubt

Be particularly careful if children are to be expected on the road, especially if there are signs that they are not paying attention to the traffic (Art.26 (2) of the Road Traffic Act, RTA). In such cases, stopping is always the safe choice.

In congested traffic

Even if there is no pedestrian crossing, stop if you are driving in dense traffic on the road and children want to cross it (Art. 6 (3) TRegO).

At the pavement crossing

Stop completely before crossing the pavement, in order to give children the right of way (Art. 41 (2) TRegO).

In the pedestrian priority zone

Stop fully despite low speed if children want to cross the driving area of a pedestrian priority zone (Art. 22b(1) of the Road Signs Ordinance, RSO).

On a pedestrian crossing

Stop completely in front of the pedestrian crossing if a child wants to cross the road (Art. 6 (1) of the Traffic Regulations Ordinance, TRegO). In road safety lessons, children only learn to cross the road when the vehicle comes to a complete halt.

Acting with foresight

Children have a limited field of perception. They can take in less information at once. In particular, they miss out on movement in the periphery.

Seeing the big picture

Children are small – they have a completely different perspective. Everything seems bigger, longer and wider to them than to adults. Accordingly, they perceive dangers differently or not at all.

Locating and classifying sounds correctly

Their orientation and hearing are not yet fully developed. Children therefore find it difficult to distinguish between left and right or to determine where a sound is coming from.

Not being distracted

Children have a constant urge for exercise, play and discovery, are easily distracted, impulsive and dreamy. For example, they forget the dangers of the road when they discover their playmates or other exciting things.

Identifying dangers in good time

In road traffic, children still have to learn to focus their attention on the essentials and anticipate dangers.

VCS und Fussverkehr Schweiz

VCS und Fussverkehr Schweiz