general information
The Road Traffic Rules define the “Caution for Children” sign as 1.23. It was approved under the USSR in 1968 by a symposium in Vienna, where it was established by the agreement “On Road Signs and Symbols”. It was carried out to designate uniform images on these signs for all states.
In accordance with GOST, this sign has the shape of a triangle, outlined in red, not blue or some other color, with running children on a white background. The main drawing is always paired with poster 8.2.1, which determines the vector of the road along which the children can walk.
The same triangular “Caution Children” sign on a yellow background means that it is temporarily present on this section of the route.
In Russia, since 2006, many amendments have been made to the rules, resulting in the change of 18 signs. It goes without saying that they and their location must comply with the requirements provided for by special documents for this purpose, valid in any country.
For example, in the Russian Federation it corresponds to GOST - R52289-2004, the image “Children” is a sign that must be installed along the roadway passing from:
- preschool and school institutions;
- sanatoriums;
- recreation centers;
- camp;
- children's entertainment center;
- in a place where children are less likely to have to cross the road.
Moreover, this sign is also placed at the pedestrian crossing.
According to the rule, it is installed in conjunction with a sign 8. 2. 1 indicating the distance of the dangerous section of the road. The “Children” road sign is installed at a distance of 50 m before the start of the roadway where children may be. Parents play an important role in preparing children and older children to behave on the roadway.
Younger and older children can be introduced to road signs through clever play, or:
- By purchasing coloring books with road signs.
- Draw them with children.
- Make crafts with signs from plasticine.
Such training will allow children to quickly memorize familiar images. It would also be good to teach children all the traffic signs; to do this, you need to download pictures and print out each sign, or you can find images of interest on Wikipedia and show them clearly.
In the form of a game, the child is taught the importance of knowing the signs for a person’s life, and that when crossing the road one must exercise caution and caution.
What does the rules say about signs near child care facilities?
The “Caution Children” sign indicates a warning to drivers; further along the route there are children’s organizations: a school, a kindergarten, a camp and recreation center, and a sanatorium. A “Beware of Children” road sign is always installed near them. Drivers should exercise extreme caution when they see such a sign. Protection from collisions on the highway depends not only on the people driving the car, but also on the pedestrians themselves.
This sign does not indicate any restrictions for the driver. This is a warning to increase vigilance and reduce speed to such an extent that will allow the driver to stop in time if a child suddenly appears on the road.
Road and children
With the help of this video, your child will be able to learn all the traffic signs.
A separate issue is to familiarize the child with the traffic rules. After all, as you know, traffic rules are not written for children and they think little about their own safety while moving across the road
This is why teaching them basic road signs from an early age is so important.
A truly children's sign warning of their appearance from the territory of an educational and similar institution adjacent directly to the road is the sign “Caution, children!”
It belongs to the warning group and should be taken into account not only by drivers, but also by children themselves, telling them that crossing the road in a given place is prohibited. In addition, similar stickers are used on public transport intended for transporting children.
Other most common signs for children are:
A sign “Pedestrian crossing” with a depiction of a zebra on it and indicating the location of the overpass of the roadway. However, the same sign, but in a red triangle, acts as a warning to the driver about approaching the crossing and the need to reduce speed. For a pedestrian, this is a clear signal that crossing the road at the location of the sign is prohibited.
"Underground pedestrian crossing" sign. It is installed at the entrance near the crossing, indicating the place of safe crossing of the street underground.
Tram/bus stop sign. Informs about the location of public transport stops and passengers' expectations.
Pedestrian path sign. Indicates a road intended for pedestrians only. The general rules of behavior for pedestrians apply.
Sign “Pedestrian traffic prohibited.” The name of the sign speaks for itself. Installed in places where traffic may be unsafe. Often used to temporarily restrict movement.
The "Cycle Path" sign clearly indicates the road is exclusively for bicycles and mopeds. Moving other types of transport here is strictly prohibited. In addition, this road can also be used by pedestrians, in the absence of a sidewalk.
"No Bicycles" sign. It speaks of the impossibility of using a bicycle for movement in this place. There is a danger for cyclists on the road
When introducing a child to the principles of traffic and signs, it is necessary to pay great attention to the rules of behavior in public places, when crossing the street, waiting for transport, etc.
After all, extra vigilance is a sure guarantee of his safety!
Where should the “Caution for Children” sign be located?
A similar warning sign should be installed in areas where there is a huge risk of children or teenagers on the road. That is, these signs are located near kindergartens and schools, sanatoriums, camps for children, recreation centers and entertainment centers for children. Even in areas where there are no such establishments, but for some reason teenagers often use this route and there is no pedestrian crossing in this place, there should also be a warning sign - “beware, children.”
Speaking about those vehicles that transport children, a sign notifying other people on the roadway that there are children inside must be located both behind and in front of this vehicle.
The rules for placing this sign state that it must be placed alongside a table that determines the length of the section where the driver should drive much more carefully and vigilantly.
Outside the city, for example, a sign of this type should be installed no less than fifty meters from an area where there is a possible likelihood of construction, some kind of work, or where children also cross the road. Basically, this section of the path ranges from 150 to 300 meters. In megacities, this section of the path is generally from 50 to 100 meters.
This sign in no way introduces any prohibitions for drivers, however, it carries a warning so that he, in turn, pays attention, is more vigilant and slightly reduces his speed for the reason that in the event of a child unexpectedly appearing on the roadway parts to avoid collision.
Where is the “Caution for Children” sign installed?
So, we found out that the “Caution for Children” sign is required to be installed on those sections of highways (in NP and outside cities) where the likelihood of their appearance on the roadway is much higher than on other sections, and on vehicles transporting teenagers. In the first case, the DS informs drivers, regardless of the presence/absence of a pedestrian crossing, that there is a risk of teenagers running out onto the road, so you need to drive here with extreme caution, carefully assessing the road situation.
In the second case, drivers are warned that the vehicle in front or behind is transporting minors, which imposes certain restrictions on maneuvering in relation to this vehicle.
Thus, the following installation locations for this remote sensing can be distinguished:
- on the territory directly adjacent to sports complexes, educational/preschool institutions, the Republic of Kazakhstan, medical institutions, children's camps;
- in areas where mass concentrations of children of the younger age group and schoolchildren are systematically observed;
- in places where children usually cross the road;
- on vehicles, including buses, specializing on an ongoing basis in transporting groups of children of two or more people, as well as performing one-time transportation.
If a “Caution for Children” warning sign is installed on a vehicle, the driver must drive while the hazard warning lights are activated.
The presence of such a sign is regulated by clause 22.06 of the Traffic Regulations, which states that personal transport may also fall under this rule - the only sufficient condition is the presence of more than two children in the car. So for large families, having an OD sign in the car is mandatory.
Other requirements for vehicles transporting minors are also described here. In particular, minor children are required to travel only in a seated position, wearing passive safety equipment, and accompanied by an adult.
The Rules do not explain why a larger “Caution for Children” sign is installed on the rear of a car than on the front, but it is understandable: drivers driving behind must see it from afar in order to plan ahead for safe maneuvers.
Type of warning sign and main purpose
The symbol, which has the number 1.23 in the traffic rules, is easy to recognize among others. It is an equilateral triangle with a white background and a red border, in the center of which are two black figures of running people. The warning road sign “Children” tells motorists that young pedestrians may cross on this section of the road.
And drivers should be especially careful not to hit someone. And for this it is necessary to ensure the possibility of quick braking, that is, to reduce the speed of the vehicle.
1.23 does not at all mean that children have the right to rush across the roadway in its zone of influence, and cars are obliged to let them through. This is not the same as a crosswalk symbol. The movement of people across the road in this area can be dangerous, despite the fact that drivers are warned about their likely presence. And adults should explain this to young pedestrians.
As for the sign attached to a bus with minor passengers, it is similar to symbol 1.23. Only its shape is square (the side of the figure is 250 mm), the general background is yellow, and there is a red border. This designation indicates that when driving and stopping, the driver must comply with special requirements for the safety of passengers. It is important to see that the bus is carrying children, and for those who find themselves next to such transport.
More on AutoLex.Net:
Symbol 4.1.1, or the sign “Move straight ahead”: features of the passage that the sign prohibits
"Caution for children" sign for the vehicle
§22.6 of the Traffic Regulations establishes requirements for organizing group transportation of children by road. The vehicle must be equipped with seating for each child and have signs on the front and rear indicating that it carries children. In addition, children must be accompanied on the road by an adult responsible for their safe transportation. During transportation, all children must sit in their seats; transportation of children standing is prohibited.
The plate is a yellow square with the silhouette of two running children, edged with a red border. The front plate placed on the windshield measures 25x25cm, and the rear plate must be larger - 40x40cm. The placement of these signs and the transportation of children obliges the driver to comply with a number of restrictions while driving, stopping, organizing boarding and disembarking.
On April 4, 2021, new amendments to the Traffic Rules came into force. According to the amendments, those transporting children must have a “Transportation of Children” sign on the car window. If it is absent, the driver faces a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.
Designation when transporting children on a vehicle
If group transportation of children is planned by motor transport, the rules establish special requirements for this. First of all, this is the presence of special signs, both in front and at the back of the vehicle, which will indicate that children are passengers. Also, each child must have a separate seat. And of course, a mandatory requirement will be the presence of an adult accompanying person who is with small passengers in the vehicle.
The plate attached to the vehicle will look like a yellow square with an image of two running children in a red border.
Moreover, the size of the rear sign should be larger than the front sign.
Requirements for the driver and car
And the driver of a vehicle with such signs will be subject to a number of restrictions, the implementation of which is strictly mandatory:
- First of all, it is a low speed, namely, no more than 60 km/h;
- When children are being dropped off or picked up on the roadway, vehicles must have their hazard lights on. It is necessary to warn other road users about small passengers, so other drivers need to be especially careful;
- Even before the start of the journey, the entire route must be drawn up and agreed upon. It is prohibited to make any changes to it during the journey;
- In addition to children, their personal belongings and hand luggage, there should be no foreign objects or cargo in the cabin of the vehicle;
- It is prohibited for the driver to leave the vehicle until the last child gets out of it;
- If children are transported in a convoy of several cars, overtaking is prohibited; Such vehicles with a warning about transporting children are not allowed to drive in reverse.
Requirements for the driver and vehicle
Children are not always very organized. Violation of the rules for crossing the road by a child is possible anywhere, but there are areas where the concentration of minors is high. Accordingly, this is where the risks of emergency situations are highest. The “Caution, children” sign, according to the current version of the traffic rules, in such cases obliges the driver to show maximum care, reducing the speed of the vehicle to a value at which it is possible to brake in time, avoiding hitting a child who suddenly runs out onto the roadway. In other words, if an accident occurs with an injured child in the coverage area of this emergency protection, regardless of the circumstances, it is the driver who is guilty.
As for vehicles transporting groups of children, in addition to installing sign 1.023 “Caution, children”, the DD Rules require the driver to adhere to the following restrictions and requirements:
- the route of the vehicle must be agreed upon (subject to transportation of groups of teenagers from 6 people);
- move at a speed limited to 60 km/h;
- The vehicle must be equipped with a working hazard warning system;
- the driver must remain in the car until the last child leaves it during unloading;
- No unauthorized persons or objects are allowed in the cabin: only children, personal belongings and officially appointed accompanying persons;
- If a convoy carrying children is moving along the road, overtaking it by any other vehicle is strictly prohibited.
Basic requirements for organizing group transportation of children
According to the Rules and accepted standards in Russia, when transporting minor children, the following conditions and restrictions must be observed:
Installation Rules
The sign is placed in the following places:
- Near children's organizations (schools, kindergartens, clubs, camps, sections);
- In other areas where children may appear on the roadway (for example, near a pond where they often go for a swim).
Install a sign at the beginning of a potentially dangerous area.
Under the symbol there must be a sign established by clause 8.2.1 of the traffic rules, which indicates the length of the designated section of the road. Within settlements it ranges from fifty to one hundred meters, and outside them - from one hundred and fifty to three hundred.
The symbol is most often installed on the side of the road. However, it can also be applied to asphalt.
What does the sign look like?
In principle, most road signs have a uniform appearance so that citizens of other countries do not have to relearn to comply with local traffic laws. The appearance of the “Caution Children” road sign, according to the resulting document of the UN Vienna Conference, the theme of which was precisely the formation of unified principles for the organization of child safety, is specified in sufficient detail - it is a triangle with a red frame, inside of which there is a children’s pictogram.
As for the shape and size of the sign, the requirements of the convention are observed in almost all states, but with the image, not everything is clear - there is some freedom of action, which is used in different ways. Thus, in the Russian Federation, sign 1.23 depicts two running children holding hands. In the Czech Republic, the pictogram depicts a grandfather leading a child by the hand; in Myanmar, instead of a grandfather, a grandmother is depicted. In Israel, a woman keeps a girl from committing a rash act. On the Polish sign, children are generally depicted in a static pose. In Denmark, children are depicted in parts, as if warning road traffic participants what can happen if local road rules, laws and regulations are not followed.
In all countries, it is prescribed to install a “Caution for Children” warning sign in areas where minors are concentrated, where there is a high risk of teenagers of all ages suddenly appearing on the roadway. Such places usually include preschool children's institutions (nurseries, kindergartens), secondary schools, entertainment and sports complexes and other similar places.
In Russia, DZ is classified as a warning sign; its use is prescribed in conjunction with an additional sign 8.2.1, which regulates the length of the section considered dangerous. Outside populated areas, traffic regulations require the installation of this emergency protection system at a distance of at least 50 meters from the beginning of the dangerous section (in the United States, for example, this distance is at least 150 meters).
A variation of the "Caution Children" sign
Since the sign is not prohibitive, it does not impose any restrictions on drivers (if you look at the USA, there is a restriction there - in the area of the sign, driving at a speed not exceeding 40 km/h is allowed). Our rules simply instruct the driver to be especially vigilant and reduce the speed to a safe speed, allowing one to avoid a catastrophe if a child suddenly appears on the IF.
There is also a sign that looks like sign 1.023 "Caution Children", but the pictogram of running children is not placed in a triangle, but a square with a red border and a yellow background. This plate is intended for mandatory installation in a vehicle engaged in group transportation of children (the requirement set out in clause 22.06 of the Traffic Regulations). Such a sign should be hung both in front and behind, it must be clearly visible. For the OD sign attached to the windshield, the size is 25x25 centimeters; for the sign placed at the rear, the dimensions are increased - 40x40 centimeters.
Unlike the sign, the plate imposes on the driver of the vehicle on which it is installed a number of requirements and restrictions regarding the process of transporting children (while driving/stopping the vehicle, when boarding/disembarking minors).
Punishment for violation
Since sign 1.23 installed on a dangerous section of the road belongs to the first category (warning), there are no penalties for failure to comply with the requirements for driving through such sections. However, in the event of an accident, the blame will be placed entirely on the driver who, contrary to the regulations, moved at a speed that did not allow him to prevent the collision. So, first of all, the driver is interested in following the recommendations of the traffic rules, although the requirements of 22.06 must be followed by all participants in the traffic rules, including children.
You need to understand that if there is no punishment for driving through a section of road with a 1.23 sign at high speed, then in the event of a catastrophic event the consequences will be incomparable to any fine.
As for vehicles transporting children, the absence of an adapted sign 1.23 is already a violation that costs 500 rubles. A warning is also provided if the driver has not committed any other offenses over the past six months. The inspector has the right to choose the degree of punishment, guided by other criteria - the danger of the offense, the degree of adequacy of the driver’s behavior, and the general road situation.
Please note that since many children's institutions operate according to a specific schedule, sign 1.23 may be supplemented with signs specifying the operating time of the main sign, but their installation is not regulated by the rules.
Responsibility for the absence of a “Children” sign on the bus
In case of violation of the rules for transporting children, the driver will bear administrative liability in accordance with Part 1 of Art. 12.5 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. In addition, according to the Russian Federation Traffic Regulations, the absence of a “Children” sign is equated to malfunctions that categorically prohibit further operation of the vehicle.
It should be noted that liability comes not only for the absence of a “Children” sign on the bus that complies with GOST, but also for a number of other violations:
- Violations of the rules for moving groups of children associated with the lack of documents that are prepared when planning a trip (chartering agreement, travel route, list of accompanying persons, etc.).
- Violations of regulations when transporting formed groups of children at night.
- Violations of other rules regulating the transportation of children not specified in clauses 1 and 2.
Warning Features
The attention to children sign is installed in places where there is an increased likelihood of their appearance in the roadway area, regardless of the presence of a pedestrian path.
The Caution Children traffic sign is always placed near the following places:
- On highways along which children's organizations are located (schools, boarding schools, kindergartens, etc.).
- Close to camps, sanatoriums, boarding houses, etc.
- Near recreation areas (park areas, sports grounds, embankments).
- Near pedestrian crossings.
The traffic rules require the installation of plate 8.2.1 along with the warning sign. Indicates the extent of the dangerous area .
In the picture, the children sign looks like a white triangle with a red line along the contour. Inside there are two running pedestrians of different sizes. Photo of sign 1.23 on a yellow background means the warning is temporary.
"Children" sign for a bus according to GOST
You can purchase such a sign without any problems at any car store, but you should know that it must meet certain requirements established by law. The sign was developed according to the provisions of the Vienna Convention, which regulates the rules for printing and placement of such signs. Such stickers usually look the same: it is a yellow square with a red border, in the center of which there are two black silhouettes of running children.
The size will depend on the location on the bus:
- When the sign is placed on the front of the bus, its dimensions are 25 cm.
- If placed on the back - 40 cm.
- The width of the red border is always 0.1 part of the side.
If such standards are not met, the traffic police have every right to fine the driver.
The rules regarding the installation and fort of the sign are specified in the Rules of the Road. At the moment, this information is located in paragraph 9.3.
There are also special GOSTs related to the requirements imposed on the vehicle on which transportation will be carried out. At the moment this is GOST R 51160-98.
The sign should be positioned as follows:
- in front - on the windshield in the upper right part, as this will not interfere with the view;
- rear - place on a metal door.
The cost of a sign varies depending on its size and material of manufacture:
- 60*25/60*30 cm, made of polyvinyl chloride with a calendered surface, covered with mounting film - 300/400 rubles;
- 25*25/30*30 cm, made of polyvinyl chloride with a calendered surface, covered with mounting film - 60/90 rubles;
- 25*25/30*30 cm, printed on PVC, after which the image is glued to a rigid base - 350/450 rubles.
Is it legal to issue a fine for not having a “Child in the car” sign?
If the driver has any doubts about the legality of issuing fines and their amounts, it is necessary first of all to refer to the current traffic rules and legislation. After all, a sanction can be imposed only in case of violation of a legal norm established by the legislator.
Another thing is the driver of a bus, who is subject to the rules regulating the organized transportation of minors. In the absence of a sign, the size and appearance of which is established by the rules of traffic rules and GOST, the offender may be brought to administrative responsibility.