Traffic safety is of utmost importance, especially for elementary school students. To safeguard children's safety on the roads, we must ensure they understand basic traffic safety knowledge and teach them to follow traffic rules to guarantee their well-being.
Traffic Rules for Elementary School Students
I. Crosswalks
On the roadway, you'll see a "corridor" formed by white straight lines—this is the crosswalk. It's painted specifically for pedestrians to cross the street.Drivers will slow down when they see people walking on a crosswalk, making it safer for pedestrians to cross the road here.
2. Pedestrian Overpasses
At busy urban intersections with heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, grand and beautiful pedestrian overpasses are constructed to ensure pedestrian safety and smooth traffic flow. Crossing the road on a pedestrian overpass is the safest option for pedestrians.
III. Roadways and Traffic Signals
Road traffic signals include: traffic light signals, lane signal lights, crosswalk signal lights, traffic baton signals, and hand signals. Brief descriptions follow:
1. Traffic Light Signals
When the green light is on, vehicles and pedestrians may proceed. However, turning vehicles must not obstruct straight-through vehicles or pedestrians who have been given the right of way.
When the yellow light is on, vehicles and pedestrians are prohibited from proceeding, but vehicles that have already crossed the stop line and pedestrians who have already entered the crosswalk may continue;
When the red light is on, vehicles and pedestrians are prohibited from proceeding. When the green arrow light is on, vehicles are permitted to proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow;
When the yellow light is flashing, vehicles and pedestrians must proceed only if it is safe to do so.
Vehicles turning right and vehicles proceeding straight at T-junctions without crosswalks on the right may proceed when the conditions in the preceding two items apply, provided they do not obstruct vehicles or pedestrians already permitted to proceed.
The preceding two provisions also apply to pedestrians walking in formation and those herding or riding livestock.
2.Lane Signal Lights
A green arrow light indicates vehicles may proceed in that lane; a red cross light indicates vehicles are prohibited from proceeding in that lane.
3. Pedestrian Crossing Signal Lights
A green light indicates pedestrians may cross the pedestrian crossing;
A flashing green light indicates pedestrians are prohibited from entering the pedestrian crossing, but those already on the crossing may continue crossing;
When the red light is on, pedestrians are prohibited from entering the crosswalk.Road traffic separation facilities include green belts, pedestrian guardrails, and separation bollards. Pedestrian guardrails are installed along the outer edge of sidewalks and between bicycle lanes and sidewalks to protect pedestrians walking on sidewalks, prevent jaywalking, and keep pedestrians from entering slow lanes. Pedestrians are prohibited from climbing over or crawling under pedestrian guardrails to prevent accidents.
Separation bollards are constructed from concrete blocks connected by welded pipes. Central separation bollards installed between fast and slow lanes divide oncoming traffic. These bollards facilitate lane-specific travel, ensuring orderly and safe traffic flow.
V. What should be done during dismissal and group outings?
On the way home from school, students must follow discipline by lining up in orderly rows. Under teacher supervision, they should walk calmly on sidewalks. When crossing roads, use crosswalks. Always walk on sidewalks. Where no sidewalk exists, walk close to the roadside.Stay focused while walking. Do not play or read while walking. Do not walk side-by-side in groups of three or five. Never chase vehicles or play games near traffic.
For group outings, follow the teacher's lead. Form two single-file lines and walk on the sidewalk.Do not stray from the group. Avoid pushing, shoving, or playing within the group. Refrain from actions that obstruct traffic safety. Do not gather or linger in congested areas to prevent hindering others' passage. When crossing roads, use crosswalks. Where none exist, assess traffic conditions carefully and cross promptly when no vehicles are approaching.
VI. Children Under 12 Prohibited from Riding Bicycles
Urban roads are complex with heavy traffic. Due to children's lack of life experience and poor adaptability, the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Road Traffic Management explicitly stipulate: "Children under 12 years of age are prohibited from riding bicycles on roads."
VII. Why are children under 12 prohibited from cycling?
Medical, physiological, and psychological analyses indicate that individuals typically reach the minimum developmental requirements for safe cycling only by age 12 or 13. Therefore, traffic regulations prioritize the safety of minors by prohibiting cycling for children under 12.
VIII. Obey Traffic Rules When Cycling
When cycling on roads, maintain focus and keep both hands on the handlebars. Ride in designated bicycle lanes and never enter motor vehicle lanes.When turning, check for oncoming traffic, signal with your hand, and avoid sudden sharp turns.
IX. Do Not Play with or Climb on Vehicles Some students recklessly play with parked cars, even stopping vehicles in the middle of the road, chasing them, climbing on them, or throwing stones at drivers for amusement. This is extremely dangerous, highly likely to cause accidents, and unethical.
X. Ride Public Transportation Civilly and Orderly
Buses bustle busily, ferrying passengers far and wide. Boarding must be orderly, traffic rules never forgotten.
Board in turn without crowding, assisting elders and children shows true virtue.
Ride civilly, ensure safety.
When waiting for a bus, queue orderly at the platform.
After the bus comes to a complete stop, allow passengers to disembark first, then board in order without rushing.
Once aboard, purchase tickets promptly. Offer your seat to the elderly, the infirm, or those carrying infants.
While the vehicle is moving, sit securely or stand firmly, holding onto handrails to avoid falling during sudden braking.
Do not stick your head or hands out the window. Refrain from loud shouting inside the vehicle and littering with fruit peels or paper scraps. Be a civilized passenger.
XI. Traffic Regulations and Public Ethics for Pedestrians
1. Consciously obey traffic regulations and actively avoid vehicles traveling normally in the roadway.Discourage family members and neighbors from setting up stalls, drying grain or hay, or threshing crops on roadways to prevent traffic obstruction.
2. Refrain from climbing onto, chasing, forcibly stopping, or throwing objects at vehicles on roads. Do not splash dirty water, throw stones, or use foul language toward drivers or passengers; never smash windows or puncture tires.
3. Prevent the placement of obstacles such as rocks or clubs on roads. Strictly prohibit digging, damaging road or railway subgrades and surfaces, or blocking drainage ditches alongside roads or railways.
4. Do not break or damage trees along roads, railways, or rivers.
5. Do not climb over or sit on barriers or curbs separating sidewalks from roadways. Do not damage barriers, curbs, or other traffic facilities such as traffic lights, signs, or lane markings. All prohibited actions constitute violations of laws and regulations.
6. When encountering deaf, mute, blind individuals, or elderly people with mobility difficulties, actively offer assistance and guide them to follow traffic rules.
7. In case of an accident, promptly call the police, assist adults in preserving the scene, and offer victims reasonable help. If you notice a vehicle attempting to flee after causing an accident, discreetly note its license plate and distinguishing features, then report it to traffic police immediately. Under no circumstances should you take advantage of others' misfortune by taking money or items left on vehicles or roadside after an accident.
XII. Public Ethics for Passengers
Maintain public order when boarding or alighting vehicles, queuing in sequence. Embody the spirit of Lei Feng's altruism by assisting the elderly and children, refraining from seat-hogging, and voluntarily yielding seats to seniors, minors, patients, persons with disabilities, and expectant mothers.Be a civilized passenger: purchase tickets voluntarily, comply with ticket inspections, and actively cooperate with drivers and conductors to maintain order on board.
XIII. Pedestrian Conduct on Streets and Crossings
1. Pedestrians should use sidewalks and avoid walking on roadways.
2. Cross streets and highways using crosswalks; do not cut diagonally or run. When crossing, stand at the roadside, observe oncoming traffic, and choose the nearest crosswalk. Before crossing, look both ways for approaching vehicles and confirm they are far enough away to be safe.When crossing, avoid sudden changes in direction, sudden dashes, or abrupt retreats to prevent startling drivers and causing accidents.
When crossing roads with multiple lanes in the same direction, pay close attention to whether vehicles are approaching or stopping alongside others. Do not attempt to cross if visibility is unclear. When crossing urban streets or highways without marked crosswalks, check carefully for oncoming traffic from both directions. Never run or attempt to beat oncoming vehicles to the other side.
3. When crossing a signalized crosswalk, pedestrians must strictly follow traffic signal rules: - Green light: Pedestrians may cross. - Flashing green light: Pedestrians may not enter the crosswalk, but those already on it may continue crossing. - Red light: Pedestrians may not enter the crosswalk.
Note: Even when the light turns green, always check if vehicles have completely stopped before crossing.
4. Where pedestrian overpasses or underpasses exist, use them instead of crossing streets or highways directly.
5. When crossing a roadway in a group, each row must not exceed two people. The group must cross promptly via a crosswalk. Where no crosswalk exists, proceed straight across. Long groups may temporarily halt when necessary, resuming after vehicles have passed.
XIV. Warning Signs
Drivers navigating unfamiliar roads cannot anticipate all potential hazards ahead. Warning signs serve to promptly alert drivers to changes in road alignment and conditions, providing sufficient time to take necessary actions before reaching hazardous points to ensure safe travel.
Warning signs feature a yellow background with black borders and black graphics.
They are shaped as equilateral triangles with the apex pointing upward.
The system comprises 42 warning signs, an increase of 9 from the original national standard. New additions include: 1. Narrow Bridge Sign;2. Caution Livestock sign; 3. Uneven Road surface sign; 4. Guarded Railway Crossing sign; 5. Diagonal Bar sign; 6. Caution Non-Motorized Vehicles sign; 7. Accident-Prone Area sign; 8. Slow sign; 9. Caution Obstacle sign.
(1) Caution: Traffic Signal Sign (Caution: Traffic Signal)
This sign is placed at an appropriate location before an intersection controlled by traffic signals where drivers may not easily notice it ahead.
(2) Caution: Falling Rocks Sign (a)(b) (Caution: Falling Rocks)
This sign is placed at an appropriate location before mountainous road sections with falling rock hazards.
(3) Two-Way Traffic Sign (Two-Way Traffic)
On roads with bidirectional traffic, natural or artificial barriers completely separate oncoming traffic. When unseparated two-way lanes occur due to construction, bridges, or tunnels, this sign must be installed to alert drivers to unseparated two-way traffic ahead.
(4) Caution Pedestrians Sign (Caution Pedestrians)
Typically placed ahead of marked crosswalks on suburban roads. In urban areas with numerous crosswalks, placement may vary based on actual needs. It is commonly installed where drivers may not readily notice an approaching crosswalk.(5) Caution: Children Symbol (Caution: Children)
This symbol is placed near elementary schools, kindergartens, youth centers, playgrounds, and other locations or access points where children frequently enter or exit to alert drivers.This sign is placed at appropriate locations on mixed-traffic roads where non-motorized vehicles frequently cross or enter/exit. (7) Accident-Prone Section Sign (Accident-Prone Section) Used to indicate that the road ahead is an accident-prone section requiring cautious driving. This sign is placed at appropriate locations before such sections.(8) Slow Down Sign (Slow Down)
Used to urge drivers to reduce speed. This sign is placed at an appropriate location before a section requiring reduced speed.
(9) Construction Zone Sign (Construction)
Used to indicate road construction ahead, requiring vehicles to slow down or take a detour. This sign may be used as a temporary sign placed at an appropriate location before the construction zone.
(10) Caution Sign (Caution)
Used to urge drivers to exercise caution. This sign is placed at appropriate locations on other hazardous road sections not covered by the above signs. Prohibitory signs, except for specific exceptions, feature a white background with a red border, red bar, and black graphic.The graphic is centered on the bar. 1. Prohibition Signs (1) No Entry Sign (Prohibited Entry) Indicates that all vehicles and pedestrians are prohibited from entering. This sign is placed at the entrance of a road where entry is prohibited.
(2) No Entry Sign (No Entry)
Indicates vehicles are prohibited from entering. This sign is placed at the entrance of sections where entry is prohibited. Its color scheme is a red background with a white horizontal bar in the center.
(3) No Motor Vehicles Sign (No Motor Vehicles)
Indicates specific motor vehicles are prohibited from passing. This sign is placed at the entrance of sections where motor vehicles are prohibited.

(4) No Non-Motorized Vehicles Sign (No Non-Motorized Vehicles)
Indicates that non-motorized vehicles are prohibited. This sign is placed at the entrance to sections where non-motorized vehicles are prohibited.
(5) No Animal-Drawn Vehicles Sign (No Animal-Drawn Vehicles)
Indicates that animal-drawn vehicles are prohibited. This sign is placed at the entrance to sections where animal-drawn vehicles are prohibited.
(6) No Pedicab Traffic Sign (No Pedicab Traffic)
Indicates that pedicabs are prohibited from entering. This sign is placed at the entrance to sections where pedicabs are prohibited.
(7) No Straight Ahead and Left Turn Sign (Prohibits straight ahead and left turns)
Indicates that all vehicles are prohibited from proceeding straight ahead or turning left at the upcoming intersection. This sign is placed at an appropriate location before the intersection where straight ahead and left turns are prohibited.
(8) No Straight Ahead and No Right Turn Sign (No Straight Ahead and No Right Turn)
Indicates that all vehicles are prohibited from proceeding straight ahead and turning right at the upcoming intersection. This sign is placed at an appropriate location before the intersection where straight ahead and right turns are prohibited.
(9) No U-Turn Sign (No U-Turn)
Indicates that all vehicles are prohibited from making U-turns at the upcoming intersection.This sign is placed at an appropriate location before the intersection where U-turns are prohibited.
1. Pedestrian Sign (Pedestrian) Indicates that the street is for pedestrians only. This sign is placed at both ends of the pedestrian street.
2. Crosswalk Sign (Crosswalk) Indicates that this is a designated passage for pedestrians to cross the road. This sign is placed on both sides of the crosswalk.
3. Bus Lane Symbol (Bus Lane) indicates this lane is reserved exclusively for buses operating on this route. This sign is placed at the starting point of the lane and at appropriate locations before each intersection entrance.