Cars are the biggest killer of children on our streets and with more cars than ever now on our roads simple measures such as teaching your child the importance of road safety and watching your speed limit when you are behind the wheel can play a vital role in improving road safety.
Read our safety guidelines, facts and reminders below for pedestrian safety, cycle safety and car safety.
Pedestrian safety
Parents play a vital role in helping their children use their eyes, ears and common sense when using footpaths & crossing the road safely. If you are travelling to school with your child use this opportunity to help them develop good road sense on a daily basis. Remember the Green Cross Code STOP LOOK LISTEN and the importance of visibility - BE SAFE BE SEEN.
Bike safety
Make sure your child is old enough and confident enough before allowing them to cycle on the road. Did you know that children are not really ready to begin cycling alone in traffic until they reach secondary school age? Don't forget that they should wear helmets at all times - even if you grew up in the relaxed 70s when seatbelts and bike helmets weren't really around we need to bring our children up safely.
Car safety
Safety in the car is vital and all children under 135cm (about 4ft 5in) high who are under 12 years old must use an appropriate baby seat, child seat or booster seat on every car journey.
Did you know?
- 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
- Traffic causes 50% of all accidental deaths in childhood. Injuries peak as children reach their teens.
- No matter how mature you think your child is remember that they can't judge distance or speed accurately. Children under nine should always have an adult with them when crossing the road.
- 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 reminders
- Keep below 30mph - it 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.
- Explain, repeat & reinforce road safety whenever you are travelling out and about with your child. Children love rules & repetition and these are important ones to learn.
- Set a good example as children will copy you - if you saunter across the road while chatting away on your mobile, don't be surprised if your children do the same! Always stop before you cross.
- 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 baby or child car seat on every journey, no matter how short.
- Never be tempted to carry a baby on your lap or to let children travel in the car without being properly strapped in. It is not worth the risk - accidents can happen at any time.
- Never use a rear-facing baby seat on the front seat if there is an active airbag. That's because a rear-facing baby seat puts your baby's head very close to the dashboard. So, if the airbag inflates, the impact could cause serious head or neck injuries to your baby.
Useful links for travelling safely with your child
Think Road Safety Campaign
http://www.dft.gov.uk/think
Tales of the Road - meet the boy who didn't Stop, Look & Listen
http://talesoftheroad.direct.gov.uk/
The Children's Traffic Club - successful, award winning road safety programme for 3 to 4 year olds.
http://www.trafficclub.co.uk/
Green Cross Code
http://www.roadsafetyni.gov.uk/index/education/kidzone/kidzone-green_cross_code.htm
Child Safety Week
http://www.childsafetyweek.org.uk/child-safety-week/parents-section/safety-topics/road-safety/
