Kicking off the school year with the 'Safer Schools' initiative
In the upcoming school year, Baden-Württemberg is gearing up to ensure the safety of over 1 million students, including over 100,000 first-graders. The new school year begins on September 15, 2025.
Thomas Strobl, the Interior Minister, has launched a statewide action called "Safe School Route" to promote traffic monitoring, accident prevention, and increased awareness about the start of school. The initiative is a joint effort of the Ministry of the Interior, for Digitalization and Municipalities, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
The "Safe School Route" action is supported by various organisations, including the Baden-Württemberg Police, the Center for School Quality and Teacher Training, the Road Safety Associations, cities, municipalities, and the partners of the statewide traffic safety campaign "BE CAREFUL IN TRAFFIC".
In 2024, the police in Baden-Württemberg recorded a total of 378 school route incidents, a decrease of nearly 11% from the previous year (2023: 423). This decrease is encouraging, but unfortunately, one teenager lost their life on the way to school in 2024.
To prevent such tragedies, the "Safe School Route" campaign will feature large banners, posters, and actions in the coming weeks to raise awareness about the start of school and encourage road users to behave considerately and carefully.
Reflective elements on clothing and school bags are crucial for increased safety during the darker season. Parents and guardians are urged to practice the correct route to school with children beforehand, paying attention to hazards, traffic lights, and crosswalks.
The "Safe School Route" action includes measures such as strict enforcement of speed limits near schools, checking parking along pedestrian and bike paths, and ensuring the safety of children in cars. These measures aim to create a safer environment for children as they travel to and from school.
Thomas Strobl emphasized that while the decrease in school route incidents is encouraging, the goal remains the Vision Zero: A road traffic system with no fatalities or serious injuries, especially on school routes. The Minister-President and Interior Minister has highlighted the importance of road safety for children, especially during the start of school.
The "Safe School Route" initiative is a significant step towards achieving this vision. Let us all work together to ensure the safety of our children on their journey to school.
