Chuggington Public Service Campaign for Traffic Safety

I am sure many of you are like me and spend a lot of your time with your kids in the car, rushing from here to there.  With Halloween today and lots of Trick-or-Treating on the agenda, it’s important to take a moment to make sure everyone is safe and that we all do a little less rushing!

A Traintacular National Campaign

In partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ludorum, the creators of the hit preschool series Chuggington, recently launched a traintacular national Chuggington public service campaign that will promote traffic safety to young families. Entitled Think Safe. Ride Safe. Be Safe!, the campaign pairs NHTSA’s trusted safety guidance with Chuggington’s colorful and engaging characters. The result is a compelling traffic safety campaign that delivers important safety lessons to children from preschool to 3^rd grade and their parents. With lessons focused on four main areas of traffic safety – pedestrian, school bus, bike and car seat safety – the campaign is designed to engage, educate, and ultimately, save lives.

The program includes:

• A Traffic Safety Pledge, which has already been signed by more than 11,000 children. By taking the online pledge, kids can earn their Chuggington Traffic Safety Badges!
• A dedicated microsite, www.chuggington.com/safety, where kids can go to play safety games, color safety sheets, and parents can download safety tips.
• An activity book for kids to color and learn traffic safety lessons.
• Original Public Service Announcements, the first of which will air soon on Disney Junior (sneak peek: you can ride the rails over to Chuggington’s site now to view the PSA online here).
• Educational materials, new seasonal programs, and a free Chuggington traffic safety app are all part of this comprehensive campaign that will continue through 2012 and beyond.

Basic Safety Tips

As you think about Halloween costumes and candy, we ask that you also take a moment to consider your little ghost or goblins safety as they walk around the neighborhood trick or treating tonight. Does your child know to look left-right-left before crossing the street? Do you always encourage your trainee to hold your hand while walking? Here are a few other tips to consider:

• Walk on the sidewalk.
• If there’s no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• No pushing or shoving when you walk.
• Don’t cross the street if a car is coming.
• Use a crosswalk if you can.

My son and I watched the Public Service Campaign video together, and I already feel better about his understanding of the need to be safe when dealing with traffic and pedestrian safety.  Take a moment to watch it with your kids before heading out in costume, and take the pledge with your children!