The streets of the central Polish city of Lodz are being graced a ‘Road Safety Santa,’ who is patrolling and quizzing children about road safety.
The Santa Clause, accompanied by several policemen, is asking children on the streets of Lodz about basic road safety issues and handing out gifts, including bicycle lights, reflective vests and sweets.
“The initiative is meant to increase awareness about road safety rules amongst the youngest members of society who, on a daily basis, are out on the streets on foot, bicycle or on public transportation to and from school,” says Elzbieta Tomczak from the municipal police.
Sunday marks St. Nicholas Day, a casual holiday marking Santa Clause’s ‘birthday,’ on which Polish children typically receive a small gift, and Lodz police are seizing upon the occasion to educate the youngest residents of the city.
So far, Lodz’s Road Safety Santa has handed out almost 200 presents and the initiative will continue through Monday.
“There are contests and educational games planned with the goal of using positive reinforcement to educate children about the basic rules of safety on the way to and from school,” says Inspector Joanna Kacka from the Lodz Police Station.
The initiative is co-organized by city police and the Regional Road Traffic Department. (mmj)