Since 1978 VIC ROADS has been involved in the development of traffic safety curriculum units for use in Victorian schools. Continuing program development is the result of long term government support originating with Cabinet's endorsement of "universal TSE (Transport Safety Education) in Victorian schools" in 1985. The aim of the programs is to encourage children to adopt safer forms of behaviour in the short term and more responsible attitudes to road usage in the longer term. Analysis of the survey results revealed that TSE was included in the curriculum of 78% of primary schools in 1990 compared with 73% of schools in 1988. In rural regions, the number of schools teaching TSE was 10-15% higher than in metropolitan regions. Of particular concern is the very low usage of TSE programs (as low as 11%) in non-government metropolitan schools. In schools not presenting TSE, the major factors which prevented TSE being taught are already overcrowded curricula (56%) and a lack of trained and interested staff (48% and 24% respectively). Some respondents indicated that the introduction of TSE had never been considered (36%). Fifteen percent of schools indicated that they had a specific TSE policy, whilst 80% had a policy requiring students to wear bicycle helmets when cycling to and from school. In regard to Vic Roads consultancy services, 60% were aware of these services (in 1988, 77% were aware of "Bike Ed" consultants and 61% were aware of Pedestrian consultants) and 49% of schools were aware of regionalisation of these services.
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