Integrating road traffic safety education in the teaching and learning of science and technology

Abstract

The title of the study is integrating road traffic safety education in the teaching and learning of science and technology. The overall goal of this study was to develop a tool for the integration of Traffic Safety Education (TSE) in the teaching and learning of Science and Technology in School. As such, four research questions (stated in 1.2.1 to 1.2.5) were raised on critical aspects of the problem so as to direct the course of the study to provide solutions to the problem. These research questions were formulated into the aims of the study as stated in section 1.3. To attain these aims, a literature study and interviews were conducted. Through interviews and a literature study, it was found (among other things) that: - TSE has great potential for the reduction of road accidents/ collisions, and its teaching in school will prepare our learners to be safe road users. - Science and Technology has tremendous impact on traffic safety, and the three have much in common, which does provide room for them to be integrated in school curricula. - School educators are not adequately equipped to integrate TSE in the different learning areas. Consequently, an integration model called "Multilateral learning area integration model" has been developed for the integration of TSE in the learning areas of natural science and technology (see 7.2 and 7.3for details). Eleven recommendations were made in section 8.4 on the basis of the conclusions (in section 8.3) drawn from the proceedings of interviews and the literature study. These recommendations if implemented accurately, would undoubtedly contribute to solving the problem investigated in the study. This study has therefore made a valuable contribution to laying a solid foundation for Combating the problem of high road accidents/collisions on South African roads.