Children gathered at the Strubens Valley Library for a holiday road safety awareness programme on Friday, July 10, where they learned important lessons about personal safety, road safety, and emergency preparedness from Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers.

The interactive programme taught children through lectures, songs, and hands-on demonstrations how to be safe on the road and in everyday circumstances.

Leading the road safety session, officer Shabi Sepotokele taught children where and when it is safe to cross the road, using the ‘robot song’ to help reinforce the lesson.

“When you cross the road, cross at the robot when it is safe to do so. Remember the robot song and always look before you cross,” the officer said.

The officer also reminded children to stay seated inside a moving vehicle, wear their seatbelts and speak up if they notice dangerous driving.

“Always sit down and put on your safety belt. Do not stand inside the car, and never allow your uncle, brother, mother or anyone else to drink alcohol or use a cellphone while driving.”

The session also covered emergency response, with children learning important emergency contact numbers such as 112 and when they should be used.

Officer Dolly Magwaza focused on personal safety, educating the children about different forms of bullying and encouraging them to seek help from trusted adults should they ever find themselves in such situations.

“If someone is bullying you or inappropriately touches you, report it to someone you trust. You must never keep it to yourself,” she said.

She also used the opportunity to remind parents and caregivers about child passenger safety.

“Parents must never allow children to sit on their laps while driving. Every child should be properly seated and restrained to help keep them safe,” she said.

Throughout the entire session, the little ones enthusiastically answered questions, joined in on the robot song, and interacted with the officers.

Following the educational session, the children received snacks, sweets and a cold drink, bringing the holiday programme to a cheerful close after a morning of learning and participation.