Schoolchildren’s security and safety on the school road : A case study in Håksberg, Ludvika kommun

This study examined parents experiences of traffic safety and security on the school road to the elementary school in Håksberg, Ludvika municipality. In the autumn of 2024, a traffic accident occurred on the school road, where a child was hit by a car on their way to school. The study is based on children’s right to a safe and secure way to school and their ability to be independent in traffic. Children who are allowed to move independently in traffic tend to develop a greater selfconfidence, broader social interaction and better health through increased daily physical activity. The study was conducted as a case study, including a survey directed to the parents and observations of the school road. It also examined existing research and recommendations regarding children’s safety and security on their way to school. The results show that a majority of children are driven to school by car, mainly due to a perceived lack of traffic safety and security. According to the parents, the main shortcomings include the absence of pedestrian and bicycle paths, crosswalks, adequate lighting, and compliance with speed limits. The traffic environment limits children's ability to be independent and prevents them from traveling safely on their own between home and school. Achieving a safe and secure school road requires improvements to the physical environment, ideally through a collaborative dialogue between the municipality, the school, and parents.