Many families are worried by traffic and with good reason. Despite big reductions in deaths and serious injuries, cars are still the biggest killer of children on our streets. Play your part by teaching children about road safety when you’re out together, showing them how to walk and cross safely – and keeping a careful eye on your speed when you’re behind the wheel.

And don’t forget to teach your child how to be a safe cyclist. Children are not ready to begin cycling alone in traffic until they reach secondary-school age. Remember too that children need to wear helmets at all times – even when playing on their bikes in the park or garden.

Safety in the car is essential too. Seat belts aren’t designed to fit children’s smaller bodies in the right places. So the law now says that all children under 12 (or under 135cm / 4 ft 5ins tall) must use an appropriate baby seat, child seat or booster seat on every car journey.

Did you know?

• Traffic causes half of all accidental deaths in childhood. Injuries peak as children reach their teens.
• If hit by a car travelling at 40mph, four out of five child pedestrians will die. If hit by a car travelling at 30mph, four out of five will survive. Children’s survival rates increase even more, the lower the speed of the car.
• Children under nine should always have an adult with them when crossing the road, as they can’t judge speed or distances accurately.
• A third of children and young people hurt crossing the road said they didn’t stop before stepping off the kerb – and as many said they didn’t look.
• Almost two-thirds of teenagers admit to being distracted by talking to friends as they cross the road.
• Over two-thirds of all cycling deaths and half of all cycling injuries involve a head injury.
• Cycle helmets can reduce the risk of serious head injury by 85%.
• Holding onto a small baby in a 30 mph car crash takes the same strength as lifting eight bags of cement.
• The law says that all children under 135cm (about 4ft 5in) in height who are under 12 years-old must use an appropriate baby seat, child car seat or booster seat – even on short journeys.

Safety tips

• Keep an eye on your speed. Staying below 30mph can mean the difference between life and death for a child.
• Take care when reversing your car, as small children aren’t always visible in your mirrors.
• Teach young children to hold hands with an adult whenever they go out.
• Use everyday opportunities to teach children about road safety. Explain the rules while you’re out walking, so children understand why you are using a pedestrian crossing and waiting for the green man.
• Children learn by example. So, if you walk straight across the road while chatting away on your mobile, don’t be surprised if your children copy you!
• Children also learn by joining in. Involve children in making decisions with you about when and how to cross the road. Gradually let them take the lead when you are crossing together.
• Encourage children to wear a cycle helmet whenever they’re on their bikes – and set a good example by wearing one yourself.
• Use a child car seat on every journey, no matter how short.
• Don’t be tempted to carry a baby on your lap or to let children travel in the car without being properly strapped in.

Useful links

More information and advice from:

1. Department for Transport at www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk
2. Road Safety Scotland at www.road-safety.org.uk

Two interactive websites for parents and carers:

1. Department for Transport website to help passengers understand what happens if you don’t wear a seat belt in a crash – www.thinkseatbelts.com
2. RoSPA website to help drivers understand the impact of speed on thinking and braking distances – www.stoppingdistances.org.uk

Ten top tips for staying within the speed limit from www.rospa.com/roadsafety

Information on child car seats from:

1. www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice/childcarseats.htm
2. www.childcarseats.org.uk

Interactive websites for children and young people at:

1. www.hedgehogs.gov.uk
2. www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/arrivealive
3. www.cyclesense.net
4. www.3m.com/intl/uk/3mstreetwiseuk/pupils_menu.htm

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