Miljøtema, 25 – Roads to Healthier Traffic – Children are particularly vulnerable

Roads to Healthier Traffic

Children are particularly vulnerable

From studies we know that children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of traffic. They may be more sensitive to noise – also traffic noise – than adults. If children are exposed to traffic noise for prolonged periods, their reading ability, long-term memory and learning ability may be impaired. Children do not have the same possibility as adults to change their physical surroundings. They depend on the good will of adults to secure good and healthy surroundings – also when it comes to noise.

child on a bike

Photo: BAM

Noise-sensitive children

The WHO points out that continuous traffic noise may impair the learning ability of children, especially in primary school. According to an EU report prepared by the National Institute of Public Health in Denmark, even low noise levels may impair or delay the cognitive development of children. Noise may have a negative effect on language perception – and, thus, the linguistic development, motivation and concentration – of children, and noise may also cause stress and impair sleep.

freedom to move around Several studies show that the mental and social development of children is furthered when children grow up in areas where traffic is limited. In residential areas with low-speed regimes there are signs that the quality of life and the scope for development and interplay increase for all residents. Speed limits increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, they benefit families with children, and offer more scope for children to move about, especially for children between the age of seven and nine.

Other studies show that when children cannot move around without being watched by adults, their social and motor development is impaired. They do not have the same freedom to move around, and therefore do not get familiar with the local neighbourhood.

Good habits are formed at an early age

Recent years have seen a radical change in the habits of families with young children, for instance when it comes to transport to and from school. Increasing numbers of children are taken to school by car, instead of walking or bicycling themselves. They might therefore get used to the car as the most important means of transport. It is important to make the way to school safe, so that parents feel confident when teaching their children to go to school alone. Children who are not physically active are exposed to the same health risks as adults who do not take enough exercise. One in five young Danes is not physically active and does not move around very much in his daily life. Adults are models to children – also when it comes to physical activity.

playing child

Photo: Scanpix

Healthy cycling habits

The Danish Cyclists Federation has for many years been running the "Bike to Work" campaign, focusing on work- places. In 2002 a similar campaign, "Freewheeling", was launched for the first time, directed towards schools and encouraging children to go by bike to and from school. Each class participates as a team, and prizes are awarded to the winners. In 2003 more than 70,000 children took part in the campaign, corresponding to one tenth of all Danish school children from a total of 600 schools. The aim of the campaign is to teach Danish children healthy exercise habits and to teach them to be physically active.