Norwegian parents urged to practice school routes before start of term

In August 2024, 118 children and youths under 19 were injured in traffic in Norway, with numbers typically rising in the weeks around the start of the school year. The Skadeforebyggende forum (Skafor), led by Eva Vaagland, advises parents to use the remaining summer days to walk or cycle the school route together with their children, rehearsing safe crossing, traffic signals and what to do when uncertain.

The forum recommends forming walk groups with neighboring families, allowing parents to take turns accompanying children until they become confident pedestrians. Schools or parent‑teacher associations can help identify nearby classmates. Clearing hedges and maintaining at least 20 metres of sight distance, as required by Statens Vegvesen, also improves visibility. These measures aim to reduce child injuries, lower traffic congestion near schools and encourage more walking rather than car trips.