TCS launches WhatsApp warning system for the start of the school year
At the start of the school year, the focus shifts to the safety of children on their way to school. Against the backdrop of rising accident figures, TCS is introducing its new "Safe2School Alert" service. The warning system notifies children about the start of school via WhatsApp. The aim is to increase awareness and consideration in road traffic in order to drive forward the prevention of traffic accidents.
A few days before the start of school, the TCS launches a prevention campaign on the subject of safe journeys to school. Even though the statistics show a general decrease in accidents since 1992, the numbers are on the rise again after a short-term decline during the years of the corona pandemic. According to the statistics of the Federal Roads Office FEDRO, 515 of the 593 accidents on the way to school reported for 2022 (2019: 562 accidents) involved physical harm. In detail, this means: 2 deaths, 73 serious injuries and 494 minor injuries.
Prevention plays an important role when it comes to raising awareness among the population and reducing the number of accidents. Especially after the summer vacations, many road users forget that children are on the road again. Drivers may therefore be less willing to react when they encounter a child. For this reason, TCS is launching the "Safe2School Alert" service. The alert system informs road users via WhatsApp message at the end of the vacation period in the respective canton that there are children on the roads again. The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness among road users and motivate them to drive carefully and obey the rules, especially near schools.
"Safe2School Alert" works simply and efficiently. To register, simply scan a QR code. The registered user will receive a message at the end of the respective vacation period of a school year with the date of the start of school and regarding the presence of children on the street. This information is available for all cantons.
The journey to school plays a crucial role in the child's personal development. It promotes socialization, interaction with the environment and informal learning. It also gives children the opportunity to exercise in the fresh air. Travelling to school on foot, by bike or scooter promotes children's road safety skills and helps them pay more attention in class than they would if they were taken to school by car. However, for the children to be able to develop, it is important that the route to school is safe
For this reason, the TCS would like to call on everyone who travels by car, bicycle or otherwise on the roads to contact the Service "Safe2School Alert. to create a safe environment for children on their way to school. This is also because the safety of children concerns everyone.
