Watch Out – There’s a kid about

Britain is closing the gap on our European neighbours when it comes to keeping children safe on the roads, but more can be done, according to the RAC Foundation and children's charity 4Children. The two organisations have joined forces to support Road Safety Week 2005.

Child road casualties are improving compared to the mid-1990s baseline, but traffic remains the biggest single cause of accidental death for 12 - 16 year olds. In 2004, 3905 children (0 - 16) were killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads. Boys are more likely to be hit than girls, and their accidents are more likely to be severe.

Research has uncovered important differences in the way British children use the streets compared to French and Dutch children:-

* British children spend more time near main roads, busy roads, and roads with faster traffic, than their European equivalents.
* British children are less likely to use a marked crossing when choosing a crossing point.
* British children are less likely to be accompanied by an adult, and more likely to be accompanied by other children, who might distract their attention
* 20% of British children "hang about" in the street, on foot or on cycles.

The special characteristics of Britain's roads, and the way our children use them, underlines the importance of early and effective pedestrian education. The introduction of 'road safety' elements into the national curriculum could help children build their road user skills.

Sadly, the majority of child pedestrians are hit by cars. The Foundation and 4Children therefore call on all drivers to take extra care during Road Safety Week and afterwards.

A review of speed limits in residential areas and near schools should be undertaken to ensure that they are appropriate. We also recommend increased use of flexible speed limits relating to the time of day, for example when children travel to or from school.

Kevin Delaney, Head of Road Safety and Traffic for the RAC Foundation said:-

"It is in the nature of children to be easily distracted, impetuous and not fully aware of the dangers of road traffic. It is our responsibility as adults to be ready for this.

The move from junior to senior school is a time when children are especially vulnerable, as they will travel further to go to school and meet new friends. This Road Safety Week, we are reminding drivers of their particular responsibility to protect child pedestrians by slowing down, expecting the unexpected and allowing kids to be kids."

Anne Longfield, Chief Executive of 4Children said; "The fact that almost four thousand under 16s died or were injured on our roads last year, is an extremely shocking fact. There is no greater tragedy that the death of a child and these deaths can be avoided through helping children to learn about their own safety and making drivers more aware. 4Children has been dedicated to creating safe environments for children for the last 20 years through developing out of school activities, children's centres, youth clubs and now extended schools. We are very pleased to be supporting Road Safety Week 2005, in partnership with the RAC Foundation. The number of children being killed on our roads cannot continue to rise."