CHILDREN & ACCIDENTS

Road accidents are the biggest single cause of accidental death for children up to the age of 15, accounting for over half of all child fatalities. Although the numbers continue to come down year on year, around 40,000 children are still killed or injured on our roads each year, with, perhaps surprisingly, the highest number being passenger casualties as opposed to pedestrians.

So, how can we all help improve child safety, not only on the road, but just as importantly, in the car?

On the road

Child pedestrians are particularly at risk from drivers speeding in urban areas. Department of Transport statistics show that a child hit at 20mph has a 95% chance of surviving, but at 40mph, his or her survival chances are virtually nil. Even letting your speed creep up from 30mph to 35mph doubles the risk of fatality.

With the number of children out on the streets increasing when the nights get lighter, drivers need to slow right down, even to below the designated speed limit, particularly in residential areas, which is where the majority of accidents happen.

Drivers' lack of understanding of children's behaviour is also a big contributory factor to accident numbers. Drivers need to become more aware of how unpredictable children can be, so that they can react quickly should a child dash into the road or suddenly decide to cross without looking. Children will be children, so the onus to cut accident rates must be on the driver to take extra care in areas where children are around and always expect the unexpected.

In the car

Department of Transport statistics consistently show that children are even more at risk in ...