Is SRTS a generational precursor to Pre-Motorized Driver's Education?

The safe routes to school idea is more than pre-motorized driver's education because of the various components involved with the program. If you presume that the pre-motorized driver education is model/ed/ after driver's education then the only element of the program would be education targeting the user. For example, in driver's education the student learns how to handle various traffic situations, discusses stopping distance, what to do if you run off the road etc. Applying a similar model to pre-motorized drivers education would simply involve educating the pedestrian or bicyclist how to walk safely and/or bicycle safely. Safe routes to school is broader than just educating students. It attempts to educate all users of the transportation system - walkers, bicyclist, motorists etc. While pedestrian safety education is part of a SRTS program it is far from the only element. Another aspect in which SRTS is more than pre motorized driver's education is that the program seeks to include other strategies, such as engineering and enforcement, for creating safer conditions for pedestrians and bicyclist.

Lastly, along with teaching the immediate safety skills children can use as pedestrians another benefit of SRTS is the notion that children who learn pedestrian and bike safety skills will become drivers who are more aware of pedestrian and bicyclists.

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