I was gobsmacked when I first stumbled upon this special place in Tavira. Located by the river Gilhao, next to the skateboard park and the Guarda Rios Hamburgueria & Tapas (which serves up pretty decent food!), is a “mini driving school” for toddlers and young children They drive their bikes, tricycles or scooters and learn the rules of the road in replicated roadworks, complete with working traffic lights, signs, crosswalks, one way streets and round-abouts. This ‘driving park’ offers some of the best free entertainment to be found.
Today a lovely dad was practicing with his 3 year old to stop his bike when a pedestrian wants to cross the road on the striped *zebra” lines. This is an essential golden rule of road safety in Portugal – it’s mandatory for vehicles to stop for pedestrians at these marked areas, and most pedestrians cross only at these marked points in the road and never jaywalk. The walker feels safe, and it adds an extra layer of caution for drivers. Bravo.
Kids love to learn and they take it pretty seriously. What could be better than making education fun? I’m sure it increases their awareness, confidence and safety and they are better prepared down the road when they can ‘really’ drive.
