Parents urged to set good safety example
Last updated 11:36, Monday, 16 June 2008
GIANT cardboard cars and zebra crossings are being used to help parents better understand roads from their child’s perspective.
The oversized props are part of road safety workshops launched by the Department of Transport to help adults see through the eyes of an eight-year-old.
They are urging parents to set a good example for their children when using roads.
In a Government survey, more than half of all parents – 54 per cent – admitted displaying poor road safety behaviour in front of their children, such as talking on the phone while crossing the road or crossing against the lights.
Road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “Although we have made good progress by halving the number of children killed or injured on our roads over the last decade, there is still more to do.
“Last year 169 children were killed and another 3,000 seriously injured in road accidents so I am determined that we continue to do everything we can to make our roads safer.
“Simply telling our children about how to use our roads safely is not enough – parents must practise what they preach or their sons and daughters will slip into dangerous habits.”
The roadshow comes to Milecastle Primary School, Newcastle this Wednesday.
Next week (Jun 23-29) is Child Safety Week, organised by the national children’s charity Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT).
They say 2,000 children are still admitted to hospital every week, and road accidents are responsible for half of accidental deaths in childhood.
CAPT chief executive Katrina Phillips said: “Many serious accidents could be prevented by parents making simple changes – whether it’s driving more slowly where children are our playing, fitting and checking smoke alarms, getting their gas boiler serviced, keeping electrical items out of the bathroom, or moving hot drinks or cleaning products out of children’s reach.
“If parents know what’s likely to injure their child and are reminded how risks change as youngsters grow up, they are in a better position to avoid a harrowing trip to hospital.”
For safety advice leaflets, send an SAE to: Child Safety Week Leaflets, Child Accident Prevention Trust, 22-26 Farringdon Lane, London EC1R 3AJ, stating the age of the child/children in the bottom left-hand corner.
