How To Ensure Kids Are Safer On A Scooter This Autumn

How To Ensure Kids Are Safer On A Scooter This Autumn

The recent autumn weather has done its best to make it look like summer is sticking around for a while yet, but the fact is that with schoolchildren starting a new term and the days rapidly getting shorter, it won’t be long before the leaves are turning golden and autumn is firmly upon us.

Of course, that can bring lots of fun for children, ranging from kicking around through piles of fallen leaves through to the joys of sparklers and fireworks in November. However, it can also bring many dangers, not least for children out and about on their scooters.

While summer can bring perils such as wearing less bulky clothing (which makes safety items like knee pads more important) or might be more likely to head off-road on holiday adventures along bumpy tracks and paths, the fact is that autumn brings more threats.

Visibility is the first and most obvious. The days are getting shorter and by the end of November, the mornings and afternoons will be very dark. Having a scooter with light-up wheels is one step that can go a long way to helping ensure road users ranging from cars and cyclists to other pedestrians can see them easily.

In addition, dayglow yellow or orange-coloured items, from helmets to jackets, can add extra visibility, as can reflective tape of the sort cyclists often have on their arms.

The dangers of autumn darkness are well known, especially in the afternoons, which is why organisations like the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) have campaigned for the clocks to remain on British Summer Time all year and not go back between late October and late March as they do now.

However, such campaigns have never received much of a hearing from any government, so with the clear evidence of the greater danger of accidents in the afternoon between 3 pm and 7 pm during the darker months in mind, the best thing to do is take steps to increase visibility.

There are also some other dangers to consider, which warrant making sure your kids have plenty of padding as well as a helmet. For instance, while those golden leaves may be very pretty and fun to kick through, they can also be very slippery on wet days.

Surfaces can also be tricky when the frost and ice arrive, while the first potholes of the autumn and winter can pose another hazard.

It should not be forgotten that children below the age of five are more prone to trips or falls than those at older ages, and while this may be partly due to them not being so adept on their feet, their general balance will not be so good and nor will be their awareness of objects and hazards about them, not least when they don’t see them so well in poorer light.

All that means that slippery surfaces and bad light mean scooting in autumn has its hazards. But with high-visibility measures and lots of protective gear, you can do a lot to limit the risks and consequences.

In addition to the environmental challenges posed by autumn weather, there are also behavioral factors to consider when it comes to children's safety on scooters. As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, children may be more inclined to rush or engage in riskier behavior, eager to make the most of the remaining daylight hours. This heightened sense of urgency can increase the likelihood of accidents, especially when combined with decreased visibility and slippery road conditions. Therefore, it's essential for parents and caregivers to emphasize the importance of caution and mindfulness when scooting during the autumn months.

Furthermore, as children return to school and resume their daily routines, there may be increased traffic congestion and pedestrian activity in residential areas and around school zones. This influx of commuters and schoolchildren can create additional hazards for young scooter riders navigating the streets. It's crucial for both children and motorists to exercise patience, vigilance, and respect for each other's space to ensure safe coexistence on the roads. Additionally, parents can consider alternative routes or designated scooter paths away from busy traffic areas to minimize the risk of accidents and promote a safer scooting experience for children.