Children’s safety in traffic is a major concern globally, with traffic injuries recognised as a leading cause of preventable death among children and young people. Children in low- and middle-income countries face particularly high risks, as they are more likely to walk to school, often over long distances and through high-risk road environments. In South Africa, pedestrian crashes are unevenly distributed across cities, with higher concentrations occurring in certain neighbourhoods, particularly lower income areas.

A research study funded by the NRF examined how concerned parents are about their children’s safety on the journey to school in the Western Cape, South Africa, and whether levels of concern differ between areas with high and low pedestrian crash histories. The study also explored which factors parents worried about most and how these concerns compared with those reported in international research.

The research was guided by ecological systems theory, which views child safety as shaped by interactions between children, parents, communities, and the physical environment. The study focused specifically on the relationship between parents, their children, and the road environment.

A survey was conducted with parents from 19 primary schools across the Western Cape. Ten schools were located in areas with high pedestrian crash rates and nine in areas with low crash rates. In total, 802 parents participated. The survey captured parents’ levels of worry; children’s modes of travel to school; journey distance; and specific factors contributing to concern. Data were collected using paper-based questionnaires, with one school using an online version.

Results showed that parental concern about children’s road safety was high across the sample. Overall, 43.8% of parents reported being very worried about their children’s safety on the journey to school, while 42.3% reported being a little worried. Significant differences were observed between areas. Parents from high crash, lower income areas reported much higher levels of worry, with 75.1% indicating they were very worried, compared to 24.3% in low crash, higher income areas.

Children’s modes of travel differed sharply between the two groups. In high crash areas, most children walked to school, while in low crash areas, the majority travelled by private car. Despite these differences, parents in both groups frequently described their children’s journeys as dangerous.

Parents’ concerns extended beyond traffic related risks. While unsafe driving, speeding vehicles, and inadequate road infrastructure were widely reported, many parents also expressed concern about crime, personal security, and neighbourhood safety. These concerns were particularly prominent among parents in lower income areas but were also reported by parents in higher income communities.

Regression analysis showed that higher levels of parental worry were strongly associated with children walking to school; residence in high crash areas; and concerns about crime and neighbourhood safety. The gender of children and journey distance were not found to significantly influence parental worry.

The study concluded that parental concern about children’s safety on the journey to school in the Western Cape is widespread and pronounced, especially in lower income areas where parents often lack the means to change their children’s travel conditions.