Jenny Macklin gets behind Walk Safely to School Day - May 7th

20 April 2010

Jenny Macklin MP has joined students from Heidelberg Primary School today to support Walk Safely to School Day for 2010.

Held annually, this national event is sponsored by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing and encourages all Primary School children to walk safely to school.

Ms Macklin said the event was an opportunity for parents and carers of Primary School aged children to promote safe pedestrian behaviour.

"This includes basic but really essential lessons like holding hands when near or crossing the road,"

"It also highlights that walking to school is fun and a great way to start the day. There are all kinds of benefits for mums, dads and kids through regular walking - physical, mental and social,"

"Walking to school helps children burn some energy and catch some fresh air before class starts." Ms Macklin said.

The objectives of Walk Safely to School Day include:

To encourage parents and carers to walk to school with primary school age children and reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour.
To promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age.
To ensure that children up to 10 years old hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
To help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.
To reduce the car dependency habits that are being created at an early age and which will be difficult to change as children become adults.
To promote the use of Public Transport.
To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles.
To reduce the level of traffic congestion.

Visit http://www.walk.com.au/WSTSD01/page.asp?pageid=268 for further details.

Media Contact: Antony Kenney 0411 311 131

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