When should children use public transport? Rules for the safe passage of a child on buses, trolleybuses, trams and metro.
Anyone who uses public transport is familiar with the information that seats should be given way to disabled people, the elderly and passengers with children. But not everyone understands why it is necessary to give way to a child. Up to what age children can not give up their seats and have to sit in public transport, and how to combine this with the rules of etiquette.
Let's figure out what safety rules exist and under what circumstances a child should take a seat.
Arguments for"
Even if you strictly adhere to the rules of etiquette that instruct children to give way to their elders, there are other rules to consider - the safety of the child should come first.
- Children under the age of 10 have poorly developed vestibular apparatus, so it is better for them to take a sitting position during the trip.
- If a child's height is less than one and a half meters, then passengers may simply not notice him when boarding and disembarking.
- The child's bones have not yet fully strengthened. Children, especially at the age of 2-3, 6-7 and 9-10 years (these are the crisis moments of growing up), have a very high risk of fractures.
- The reaction speed of a child is lower than that of an adult. Children will not be able to quickly grab the handrail if required.
- Preschool children have poor balance. Sudden braking can knock a small child off his feet.
- Children get tired very quickly, so long standing in one place can lead to depletion of the body.
- If the child is tired, he may become capricious, thereby distracting the attention of other passengers and the driver.
Child safety rules in public transport
Seats for passengers with children are allocated for a reason. The main task of the parents of any child is to ensure his safety, and only after that one can think about etiquette.
Let's see in what cases children can stand on public transport:
- The child can independently hold onto the handrail;
- The child feels good and is able to withstand a long journey;
- There is free space around the child and no one pushes him.
And in what cases a standing trip can harm a child:
- If the child is in danger of being pressed against someone. Especially if the person standing next to you is wearing a coat with villi that can clog into the child's mouth and nasal passages and lead to respiratory arrest;
- When there are a lot of people in the cabin, and the child can simply be trampled;
- If the driver pulls away sharply and brakes. This manner of driving can lead to the fall of the child;
- The child is in elementary school and travels with a large backpack on his back. First, it will interfere with the passengers standing next to it. Secondly, it is quite difficult to maintain balance with a backpack, and holding it in one hand and leaning on the handrail with the other is an overwhelming task for a primary school student;
- Right after school, the child attends the sports section, and a trip by public transport is a real opportunity for him to relax.
Assess the situation in advance. If the child is able to ride several stops while standing, choose a place away from the doors, near the low handrail. If there are a lot of people in the cabin, then it is better not to put a small child in a separate seat, but to take it in your arms. If the bus is full, then it is better not to go into the cabin with the baby, but wait for the next one or go a couple of stops on foot.
In some cases, you can use a stroller. In modern models of buses and trams, there is a special area for children's transport, where you can fasten a stroller, providing the child with additional safety.
