Understanding Traffic Safety Needs to be Introduced from an Early Age
Traffic safety has become a significant concern among students as an increasing number of junior high school pupils begin to recognise and operate motorcycles. Understanding traffic signs, driving regulations, and initial emergency responses is considered essential to introduce at an early age, ensuring students develop the awareness to protect themselves and other road users.
Awareness of traffic safety and order must be cultivated from school age. Knowledge regarding traffic rules is deemed vital for junior high school students, particularly as some of them are beginning to learn how to ride motorcycles.
This issue was a central focus of the Junior High School Traffic Safety and Order Quiz Competition. The final round of the event was held at the Yogyakarta City Hall to commemorate National Transportation Day on Thursday (10/09/2026).
The Secretary of the Yogyakarta City Transportation Agency, GM Yulianto, stated that the competition serves as an educational tool to instil traffic safety awareness in students.
“This is also a way to educate our children, particularly those at the junior high school level. Because sometimes they are already able to ride motorcycles, but of course, they are not yet permitted to use motorised vehicles, for example, to school or elsewhere,” said Yuliyanto.
According to Yulianto, the education provided extends beyond driving regulations. Participants were also faced with questions regarding traffic signs, traffic management, basic traffic knowledge, and first aid for accidents.
“Through this Quiz Competition platform, we aim to instil safe traffic communication habits in them,” he said.
The inclusion of first aid material ensures the competition is not solely focused on traffic law knowledge. First aid instructor and judge, Bachar Heru Laksono, assessed that such skills are crucial for students to possess when they encounter accidents in their environment.
“This can serve as a lesson in traffic safety for students,” said Bachar.
He expressed hope that the participating students would apply the knowledge gained to their daily lives—not only by being orderly on the road but also by being capable of taking initial action when witnessing an accident.
“As a first aid judge, my hope is that these children will be law-abiding road users and can perform first aid if an accident occurs,” he added.
For Bachar, the ability to provide first aid is vital because early handling at an accident scene can assist victims before they receive further medical treatment.
Meanwhile, SMP Budya Wacana emerged as the first-place winner in the competition. The team, consisting of Gabriel Axel Pradhana (15), Vania Nathacya (14), and Daniel Putra Raditya (15), admitted they initially lagged during the rapid-fire round but managed to catch up in points to secure the top position.
“First of all, we are very happy because we didn’t expect it. But after calculating the scores, we realised we could still overtake SMP 5. So, we stayed motivated to keep answering,” said Gabriel.
The victory is not only an achievement for the team but also encourages them to spread the message of traffic safety within their school environment. Vania expressed hope that such activities would continue for other students.
“We hope to become pioneers of traffic safety in school. I hope my juniors and classmates can also participate in this competition and win,” said Vania.