Australian children are far less likely to travel to school alone than previous generations, with safety concerns significantly shaping how families approach the daily commute.
Research from AAMI reveals that while nearly seven in ten Australian adults recall walking, biking, or scooting to school by themselves during their primary school years, only 37% of today’s parents allow their children to do the same. Instead, 56% of primary school children are now driven or accompanied by an adult.
This shift reflects growing parental anxiety about safety, with 78% of respondents citing concerns about road dangers. Among these, 61% blame inattentive drivers in school zones, while 17% point to their children’s lack of road safety awareness.
According to Luisa Rose, motor claims executive manager at AAMI, the trend has altered how families navigate school travel: “With this shift in our approach to school travel, we need to be aware children may not have road safety skills and awareness, increasing the risk of an accident occurring in a school zone.”
Alarmingly, the study found risky behaviours among Australian drivers in school zones. A quarter admitted to speeding because they failed to notice signs, and 12% reported being distracted by their phones in school drop-off areas. Others confessed to stopping in unsafe locations, such as double parking or halting in the middle of the road, while some admitted to speeding when no children were visible.
Russell White, chair of the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF), highlighted the urgent need for better road safety practices as deaths among children aged 0 to 7 years old increased by 54% in 2024 compared to 2023.
“This is not a trajectory we want to see continue in 2025. This year, we hope to see a decrease in road fatalities especially involving children, and we're calling on the community to help,” White said. "The keys to reducing the Australian road toll are in our hands, which is why we're once again partnering with AAMI to encourage Australians to drive safely in and around schools."
To address these concerns, AAMI and the ARSF are reintroducing the Slow Down Songs campaign on Spotify. Using geo-targeted technology, the initiative slows down music as drivers approach school zones, providing an auditory cue to reduce speed. This year’s campaign features tracks by Australian artist Amy Shark, adding an emotional layer to its message.
"While understandably not everyone can walk, ride or scoot to school due to distance and time, one thing everyone can do is learn, and follow, is the road rules to ensure our children are safe when arriving at and learn, and follow, is the road rules to ensure our children are safe when arriving at and leaving school,” Rose said.
Parents are also encouraged to teach road safety through practical experiences, such as accompanying their children on walks or bike rides to school.
