POL-SI: Joint traffic control action by schoolchildren and police - there were some wake-up calls, but also much praise for the road users -#polsiwi
A new road safety campaign called Thank You and Think Twice has launched in Siegen-Wittgenstein. Police and schoolchildren teamed up to check drivers’ behaviour near schools, kindergartens, and senior homes. The initiative follows a sharp rise in child traffic injuries this year.
The campaign took place after figures showed a 74% increase in injured children from traffic accidents in 2024 compared to last year. Officers and children stopped nearly 120 drivers during morning checks. Of those, 36 received polite reminders for rule-breaking, while 81 were thanked for following the law.
No fines were issued during the morning operation. Later in the day, without the children present, two speeding tickets were given out. The focus remained on education rather than penalties. Children played a key role by handing out thank-you notes to careful drivers. Their involvement aimed to highlight the real-life impact of road safety. Similar checks have been held before, such as in Wilnsdorf on June 11, where five drivers were reminded and 30 thanked. Police will keep running these checks around schools and kindergartens, sometimes with children’s help and sometimes alone. The goal is not to punish but to encourage safer driving near vulnerable groups.
The campaign prioritises awareness over fines, aiming to reduce traffic risks for children and seniors. With ongoing checks planned, authorities hope the reminders will lead to lasting changes in driver behaviour. The initiative’s success will be measured by improved safety, not penalties.
