Yellow card for speeders - schoolchildren admonish traffic offenders

Together with schoolchildren, the police are monitoring traffic in front of elementary school in Saxony for two weeks. "It's about the road safety of children. They are the youngest in road traffic, the weakest," said Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) at the official launch of the "Blitz for Kids" road safety campaign in Radeberg.

Accidents involving children have been reduced by 60 percent over the past 30 years. "That is the aim of such campaigns." Road users should be made aware of safe driving habits, especially in front of schools.

Pupils admonish traffic offenders

In the first week, yellow cards will be handed out to drivers who were speeding. The pupils will also issue a warning. "Anyone who drives too fast on the way to school or in front of a school can be life-threatening. I think the children are best placed to make that clear," said Schuster. The experience will stick with drivers and they won't forget it so quickly.

For the school class, speeding is a welcome change from everyday school life. "It's really good fun," says fourth-grader Theo. "So far, most of the drivers have always driven very well."

From April 7, there will be consistent penalties

Those who obey the traffic rules will receive a green card - and praise from the pupils. From April 7, things will get more serious for traffic offenders: speed checks will be repeated and all violators will be punished consistently.

Driver Christina Schulz did everything right. She is delighted with the children's thanks: "It's really sweet when the children say thank you like that." Schulz drives past the school every day on her way to work. "It actually goes without saying that you drive slowly and pay attention."

"Blitz for Kids" since 1995

The road safety campaign has been held annually since 1995. Together with ADAC Saxony, it aims to draw attention to the special protection of 6 to 15-year-olds on the way to school and during leisure time and to remind them to be particularly careful and considerate.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, around seven percent of the almost 26,000 vehicles checked were speeding in 2024, and a fine was issued in 212 cases. According to the data, 1,248 children were involved in road traffic accidents last year - in 1995 the figure was 3,038.