22/03/2006 - Australian Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell,
is encouraging primary school children, their parents
and carers across Australia to walk to school on
national Walk Safely to School Day, Friday 7 April.
Senator Campbell said people taking part in the
event would contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions
and reduced air and noise pollution – as well as
saving money.
"One of the biggest contributors to common
air pollutants is the motor vehicle, with private
cars contributing about 16 per cent of greenhouse
gases in Australia. Emissions are particularly bad
on short trips when they can be the most toxic,"
Senator Campbell said.
"As well as producing large volumes of air
pollution, traffic at school drop-off areas is noisy
and creates congestion which can present a safety
risk. By walking more for short trips, we have an
opportunity to help improve the environment by reducing
vehicle exhaust emissions and improve the health
of our children by encouraging exercise."
Senator Campbell said cars, traffic congestion,
parent frustration, pollution and children made
an unhealthy mix.
"We can all play a part in reducing greenhouse
gas emissions and improving the quality of life
for ourselves and our communities and enhancing
the future of our children," he said.
"Walking all or part of the way to school on
Walk Safely to School Day is a great way to get
started."
Walk Safely to School Day is an initiative of the
Pedestrian Council of Australia (PCA), sponsored
by the Australian Government and supported by each
State and Territory Government, the Heart Foundation,
Diabetes Australia, Cancer Council, Beyond Blue
and the WA Police.
Walk Safely to School Day aims at instilling healthy
lifestyle habits at a young age and reinforcing
to children safe pedestrian behaviour.
PCA Chairman Harold Scruby said the day was also
about teaching children vital road safety skills.
"To reduce the number of accidents involving
our children, we need to take the message right
across Australia and make sure children up to 10
years old are holding the hand of an adult whenever
crossing the road," he said.
"Walking to school with a child is a great
way to teach the road safety message. Parents and
carers who must drive can help by leaving the car
half a kilometre from school and walking with their
child or children the rest of the way. That way
parents and children become more physically active,
children learn vital road-crossing skills, traffic
congestion around the school is reduced and motor-vehicle
air pollution is cut – everyone wins," Mr Scruby
said.
