8 to 11-year-olds: urban dangers

Nearly 1,000 children aged 8 to 11 are killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads each year.

• This is fewer than for older age groups, but casualties rise as more children start to walk, cycle or play unsupervised alongside urban roads.
• Busy main roads are a much greater risk than minor or residential roads.
• Boys are most at risk: twice as many boys as girls are killed or seriously injured on foot and four times as many when cycling; the number of car passenger casualties, however, is roughly the same for boys and girls.
• Going to a new school increases risk substantially: two in five of all pedestrian accidents involving 11-year-olds happen on the way to or from school.

Which journeys carry most risk?

How a child travels – by foot, bicycle or car – affects the risk.

• A third of all journeys by 8 to 11-year-olds are on foot, but two-thirds of those killed or seriously injured are pedestrians.
• Car travel accounts for 57 per cent of all journeys but only 14 per cent of deaths and serious injuries.
• Just 2 per cent of journeys are made by bicycle, but 17 per cent of fatal and serious injuries in this age group are to cyclists.

When do accidents happen?

The pattern of risk also changes between schooldays, holidays and weekends.

• In term time, casualties are highest during the journey to and from school -- 8-9am and 3-4pm -- but afternoon casualties spread to the evening because of activities after school.
• At weekends and during school holidays, the number of accidents is low early on, but increases from late morning, as children go out to play, until around 7pm.
• There is a greater risk in the evening during summer months, when more children play outside.
  

How can you help?

Take responsibility for teaching your children the safe rules of the road and explain why they are important.

Walking safely

• Teach by example: always stop at the kerb, always use a pedestrian crossing if there is one, and always wait for the Green Man, even when the road is clear.
• Walk the route to a new school with your children and talk to them about where the risks are, and where it is safest for them to cross the road.
• Encourage their school to run classes in pedestrian safety if it doesn’t already do so.
• Help them to be seen more easily by buying them light-coloured, bright clothing and reflective bands. Try the Department for Transport Think! Brand Partnerships website for advice about suitable clothing and how to obtain it. www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/brand.htm#crs

Riding safely

• Teach by example: always wear a cycle helmet and bright, reflective clothes if you cycle, and make sure your
  children do as well.
• Go for rides with your children and demonstrate safe and considerate cycling.
• Make it a condition of cycling alone that your children attend and pass cycle proficiency training. More information is available from www.bikeability.org.uk or www.roadsafetyscotland.org.uk .
  

Motoring safely

• Teach by example: always use a seatbelt, keep to the speed limit and don’t drink and drive.
• Drill into your children why they must always belt-up, no matter whose car they are in (almost one in 10 children aged 5 to 13 don’t).
• Know and use the correct restraint for the ages of your children. New laws about child restraints have been introduced. Between the ages of 3 and 12 children under 4ft 5in (1.35metres) tall need a booster seat if they weigh up to 25kg or a booster cushion (over 25kg). Go to www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/pdf/law-leaflet.pdf