At the initiative of DVV Verzekeringen, the Vias Institute has developed “Mission: Safe to School,” an educational video game in which children virtually practice their route to school before taking it in real life.
The free game, which is primarily aimed at elementary school children in grades 4 through 6, will be available to all schools in Belgium starting in mid-August, so that children can practice their route to school and recognize potential hazards before the start of the new school year.
Many schoolchildren victims of a traffic accident
“Elementary school children can sometimes be vulnerable in traffic,” says Stef Willems of the Vias Institute. “The hustle and bustle of motorized traffic and an infrastructure that isn’t always logical or forgiving make it especially difficult for children who are still developing to correctly assess traffic situations.”
The figures certainly back up Willems’ statement. In 2024, more than 300 children in Flanders were injured in traffic accidents on their way to or from school. Over the past ten years, as many as 4,465 young pedestrians and cyclists in elementary school were injured in traffic.
3D environment
By developing a game, the creators hope to bring those numbers down. “Mission: Safe to School” was built on Roblox, the platform where millions of children already play today. “That’s no coincidence, because this way, traffic safety education isn’t just a mandatory activity, but a game they choose to play on their own,” explains Willems.
By using open-source map data, each student’s actual route to school is converted into a 3D environment. The children’s online safety has also been considered. No personal information is required to play the game, although you do, of course, need to enter your home address to simulate the route to school, and players are confined to a closed environment, so there is no way to interact with others.
To be clear: both schools and families can sign up and download the package for free. Schools that sign up can also have their students test their knowledge by participating in the “Safest Class in the Province” contest. The school can win €2,500 and personalized helmets for the students in the winning class.
Adults continue to set the example
“It’s helpful for children to learn to recognize potential dangers by experiencing situations firsthand and learning to make decisions,” says Willems. “We need to encourage and inspire children to walk or bike to school.” But Willems also emphasizes that to teach children to get to school more safely, it’s also important that drivers of motorized vehicles always respect speed limits and don’t drive while distracted or under the influence.
Els Blaton, Executive Director of DVV Verzekeringen, also emphasizes the ongoing role of parents: “Children don’t just learn through play, but above all from the good example they see and hear every day in traffic.”
