Parent Concerns Around Road Safety of Children En Route to School—A Study from the Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract This study investigates parental concerns about the safety of children en route to school in the Western Cape, South Africa, through a survey conducted across nineteen school locations in high- and low-pedestrian crash areas. The density of crash locations closely correlated with low- and higher-income areas. The research reveals a high level of concern among parents in both types of areas, with significantly greater worry prevalent in lower-income neighbourhoods. Although the mode of transportation varied between the two groups, both expressed concerns about their children’s journeys. Notably, these concerns extended beyond traffic safety to include personal security issues related to criminal activity in the neighbourhood. Compared to international studies, parents in this study were more worried about speeding and drunk drivers than general traffic conditions. The study also highlights a stark reality: many parents, especially in lower-income areas, are unable to change their children’s commuting conditions despite their high levels of concern, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. This research emphasises the importance of incorporating parental perspectives in developing strategies to enhance child pedestrian safety.