The activity, organized by the Local Police’s Children’s Traffic and Road Safety School, is part of the final stretch of European Mobility Week, which Zaragoza is celebrating from September 16 to 22. The aim is for children between the ages of 7 and 13 to learn from an early age how they should behave when they stop being pedestrians and begin using other forms of transport.
Although driving the karts was one of the morning’s main attractions, the children were well aware that there was also a lesson behind the game. “Because this is how we prevent traffic accidents,” explained 11-year-old Nerea when asked why it was important to know the rules. Another participant summed it up simply: “For life, so we don’t make mistakes and don’t have accidents.”
The parents and grandparents accompanying them also valued the opportunity for children to acquire this knowledge at an early age. “As soon as we leave the house, there are traffic rules. It’s important for them to know how to get around the city,” explained one mother who came across the circuit during a visit to Zaragoza. Others pointed out that the children already use bicycles and scooters or deal with traffic lights and pedestrian crossings every day.
Local Police officers stress that the circuit is not just about driving around. David Rodríguez, a road safety officer, explains that children usually recognize traffic lights easily, but signs such as yield or stop initially cause them more confusion. “It’s a way for them to start understanding what road safety education means. It’s not just about getting into a vehicle and racing around, but about driving while following the rules,” he said.
The sessions last around six or seven minutes, enough time for participants to become familiar with the signs and gain confidence. “The first few laps are a little more difficult for them, but once they’ve been riding for a while, they do very well,” Rodríguez said, highlighting the children’s interest and ability to adapt.
