Road safety - Landesverkehrswacht needs volunteers
The search for volunteers and the increasing distraction in road traffic due to mobile phones: These two topics particularly concern the Bavarian Transport Authority (LVW), as reported by Manfred Raubold, the business manager. On Friday (5th July), the annual general meeting will take place in Straubing with the motto: "Does volunteering have a future?". Since the Corona pandemic, the number of helpers has significantly decreased.
Despite great challenges, there is reason to celebrate, as the German Traffic Watch (DVW) is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year. The local association was founded in 1950.
Some traffic wardens have been in existence in Bavaria for longer, such as the group in Hof, which was already founded in 1924, according to Raubold. At the meeting in Straubing, DVW President Kurt Bodewig will discuss the topic of volunteering with Social Minister Ulrike Scharf (CSU).
"We live here in the land of plenty"
The Traffic Watch is particularly known for its school crossing helpers and school crossing guards, but also for traffic safety training and bicycle instruction at primary schools. Nationwide, there are currently around 50,000 volunteers in the school crossing service, according to Raubold. Of these, about 25,000 are active in Bavaria, compared to 32,000 before the pandemic.
"We live here in the land of plenty," says the business manager in comparison to other federal states. Nevertheless, more helpers are needed, who in the morning or afternoon help children across the street, for example, or who take care of children and adolescents at bus stops or who help children and adolescents who are running late and suddenly start to run.
More helpers in the countryside than in large cities
Raubold speaks of a rural-urban divide: In the anonymity of large cities, it is more difficult to recruit volunteers. A general social change also plays a role: In the past, one parent was usually not employed and stayed at home. They then accompanied their child and possibly also other children to school or were active as school crossing helpers. Today, the LVW mainly relies on grandparents, other interested parties, and older students who take care of younger students as school crossing guards.
Raubold is pleased that volunteers - unlike, for example, many emergency medical services - are less confronted with aggression and harassment. Although there is a generally more aggressive behavior in road traffic due to regulations and time pressure, this does not show up significantly at zebra crossings and traffic lights. It seems that consideration is still given to children.
Danger from mobile phones at the wheel and cycling without a helmet
A topic that the LVW wants to address to drivers and cyclists is the handling of mobile phones in road traffic. Many people can hardly imagine the difference a glance at the phone makes when suddenly braking is required. Whoever does not pay attention to the road for a second while driving at 100 km/h has already traveled 30 meters further, says Raubold. Here, the LVW also focuses on driving training.
Another risk to security is that many cyclists are still on the road without a helmet. The number of traffic fatalities among car drivers has been significantly reduced in the past decades through measures such as seat belts, airbags, speed limits, and driving assistants. A helmet could prevent serious injuries or even deaths for cyclists.
Most people have a protective case for their smartphone so that it doesn't get damaged when it falls - but many of them do not wear a helmet, as Raubold points out. He then asks: "Is what you have stored on your smartphone more valuable than your head?"
- During the annual general meeting in Straubing on July 5th, the topic of volunteer's future will be discussed, with DVW President Kurt Bodewig and Bavarian Social Minister Ulrike Scharf (CSU) in attendance.
- Manfred Raubold, the business manager of the Bavarian Transport Authority (LVW), expressed concern over the decrease in volunteers and the distraction caused by cell phones in road traffic.
- In Straubing, Raubold mentioned that some traffic wardens in Bavaria, like the group in Hof, have been in existence since 1924, making them among the longest-standing groups.
- The DVW, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is most known for school crossing helpers and school crossing guards, leisure time activities for children, and traffic safety training for primary schools.
- In Bavaria, there are currently around 25,000 active volunteers in the school crossing service, compared to 32,000 before the Coronavirus pandemic, according to Raubold.
- Raubold highlighted the need for more volunteers, especially in large cities, where it's challenging to recruit due to the anonymity and increased social changes, with fewer stay-at-home parents.
- In contrast, he noted that there are more helpers in rural areas, with many high schools relying on grandparents, other interested parties, and student volunteers to assist with school crossing duties.
- Raubold emphasized that while aggressive behavior in road traffic is prevalent, cyclists and children are often considered, with fewer instances of hostility or harassment at zebra crossings and traffic lights.
