The Green Cross Code

[Jez]

How many members think children should be taught to use the green Cross Code in schools or from their parents?

[juliejam]

Originally Posted by Jez

How many members think children should be taught to use the green Cross Code in schools or from their parents?

I feel it should be done by both...I can remember teaching my all my children how to cross the roads when out and about together..Also upto a few years ago I helped out at my local junior school and when out on trips we always used the green cross code when crossing the roads...But with today they are finding it easier especially with upto thirty kids at one time to cross at the pelican crossing ...and I feel they look out for the green flashing man rather than using the code to get themselves across the road..

Julie

[mh68]

I think both too, you cant drum into kids enough the importance of safety.

Mark H

[Paul mabbott]

If the 'green cross code' is what I think it is then it is taught in schools and, I'm sure, most caring parents would reinforce it.

Is there some difficulty here? Surely most schools (in this case we're talking primaries, I assume) inform parents of what they telling the students and most parents would back them up on these things.

There might be some problem for those parents who insist on driving their children to school and, perhaps, driving badly in the process .... in such cases the children are hardly likely to take heed of any road safety advice?

[Jez]

Thanks Paul as i'm not a parent myself i didn't know that it is still being taught. Thats encouraging news! No i just see a lot of youngsters stepping out on busy roads without even a glance. I always used the code as a nipper along with my friends. But i see so many younsters not following the code through i just thought it had been dropped.

[Paul mabbott]

Well, I was more of the 'Look left, look right, look left again!' generation so the subtleties of the 'green cross' rather elude me!

The problem is that whatever teachers or parents say, if the youngsters don't take it in then what?

I recall that as a lad my mind did wander onto all sorts of matters () while walking so I don't suppose I was any more attentive crossing the road than lads today ... but at least I wasn't distracted by a mob or an i-pod - I suspect that the code needs amending to include something like when crossing a road witch off all appliances?

Originally Posted by Jez

Thanks Paul as i'm not a parent myself i didn't know that it is still being taught. Thats encouraging news! No i just see a lot of youngsters stepping out on busy roads without even a glance. I always used the code as a nipper along with my friends. But i see so many younsters not following the code through i just thought it had been dropped.

[demicav]

At the school where both my daughters attend they take the children out, in small groups, into the community and actively show them how to cross the road. They use a specific method of teaching.

[Garden Carpet]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Well, I was more of the 'Look left, look right, look left again!' generation so the subtleties of the 'green cross' rather elude me!

The problem is that whatever teachers or parents say, if the youngsters don't take it in then what?

I recall that as a lad my mind did wander onto all sorts of matters () while walking so I don't suppose I was any more attentive crossing the road than lads today ... but at least I wasn't distracted by a mob or an i-pod - I suspect that the code needs amending to include something like when crossing a road witch off all appliances?

Were you on a foreign posting Paul.. I am sure I was taught 'Look right, look left, then right again'
jaki

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

Were you on a foreign posting Paul.. I am sure I was taught 'Look right, look left, then right again'
jaki

I thought that then I read it too!

[Garden Carpet]

Claire, do you think he is testing us?
jaki

[hedgehog whisperer]

I went to the Tuffty Club did anyone else? Bring that back!! - Tuffty was even a Red Squirrel

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

Claire, do you think he is testing us?
jaki

Quite possibly But it's got me doubting myself now! Surely it's look right first because that's the direction the first lane of traffic will be coming from...or is it

[thunder]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

Quite possibly But it's got me doubting myself now! Surely it's look right first because that's the direction the first lane of traffic will be coming from...or is it

Claire, you (and Garden Carpet) are quite right (!). It is right, left and right again. And then cross carefully still looking and listening.

henrya

[Pipsar6]

My kids were taken out in small groups too and "taught" road safety by the Council's Road Safety Team. I can't say if they specifically used the Green Cross Code , but what I am pleased about is that they were taught strategies for crossing in awkward situations as well as ideal crossing situations

[Duke of York]

Originally Posted by hedgehog whisperer

I went to the Tuffty Club did anyone else? Bring that back!! - Tuffty was even a Red Squirrel

Strangely enough I remember the tuffty club although I do not remember ever going to it

When I was young it was the green cross code and adverts with the Green Cross Man (Dave Prowse who was the man inside Darth Vader's costume)

As well as the look right left etc you were also told not to cross near parked cars and to stand on the pavement near the kerb (not actually on it)

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

Were you on a foreign posting Paul.. I am sure I was taught 'Look right, look left, then right again'
jaki

You're quite right - I suppose it should be, "Look at the side which has nearside traffic, look to the side that has farside traffic ...."!

The other point was, "Keep looking both ways as you cross!". Yes, there's more to it than that, there's not crossing at blind junctions, use pedestrian dna other crossings &c &c ... but you have to start somewhere ...

[Linda frost]

The green cross code is simple and effective i taught all of my children from as young as possible, schools also teaching the green cross code can only help children be aware of the dangers and help children safely across the road.

[Adam Cheeseman]

We actually had Dave Prowse come in one day at Hammond Middle School, Surey, back in the late 70s dressed in his Green Cross Code Man costume

Cheers,

Adam

[Jez]

It would have been doubly impressive if Darth Vader walked through the doors!

[juliejam]

I wouldnt mind the guy's from 300 helping me to cross the road..

Julie

[Naz]

Originally Posted by hedgehog whisperer

I went to the Tuffty Club did anyone else? Bring that back!! - Tuffty was even a Red Squirrel

I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers Tufty

I'm sure I still have my badge somewhere in the attic.

The Tufty Club Badge

Schools and parents should teach these basic survival skills ... I even did the Cycling Proficiency Test at school, it's good to be 'road-wise'.

After all, you don't want to end up like Willy Weasel.

[juliejam]

Can remember him with his big bushy tail sticking our from his yellow trousers...What yr was this roughly ...I feel that adverts that use animals seems to be remembered the most..I love the one at the moment with the Hedgehogs..my daughter and i hum along with the music...

Julie

[Naz]

Originally Posted by juliejam

Can remember him with his big bushy tail sticking our from his yellow trousers...What yr was this roughly

Tufty - full name Tufty Fluffytail - had his origins in 1953, created by the late Elsie Miles. In 1961, the Tufty Club was set up as a network of local groups - which at its peak had nearly 25,000 branches throughout the country. Parents would join the Tufty Club on their children's behalf, and children would proudly wear badges showing that they were members.

By the early 1970s, an estimated 2m children had been members, and the movement continued well into the 1980s. Tufty has since had a couple of makeovers, and he remains a residual icon for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, which gave him to the world.

[juliejam]

To still have the badge after all that time would be something..A Couple of my children also took the cycling proficiency test at their junior school ...it was intended for them to be able to cycle to secondary school.. as the certificate is needed...not a bad thing ..I still see it taking place to this day ...and with the cycle lanes in place and a parking restriction within a close distance of school ...this all makes cycling to school a safer option..

Julie

[hedgehog whisperer]

I'm sure I still have my badge somewhere in the attic.

I did have a badge weather I still have it is another matter


After all, you don't want to end up like Willy Weasel.[/quote]

I was trying to think of the naughty character. Thanks for this… oh the memories!