As a parent it is up to you to model good road safety to your child at all times. We take a look at road safety charity Brake's ongoing campaign to help parents and children stay safe on the UK's roads.
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According to road safety charity Brake, traffic is the biggest single killer of 12-16 year-olds. A child is hurt or killed every 20 minutes on UK roads, say Brake.
To help raise awareness of the importance of practising good road safety at all times, Brake has set up Road Safety Week, which takes place in November each year.
Stop. Imagine. Change – Think about your road safety habits
The 2008 theme was ‘Family Safety: Stop. Imagine. Change.’ and asks all members of the community to think about their actions and how they may affect others. Brake say, ‘We are asking people to stop and imagine how horrendous it would be to lose a loved one in a road crash, or cause a fatal crash, to take a long hard look at their behaviour on roads, and change their behaviour for the better.’
Brake urges parents to consider their own road habits and to always model good road safety to their children. ‘We can all make a commitment to improve our behaviour, whether that means taking more time to look twice at junctions, or committing to not ever overtaking unless it is totally safe, or simply always holding our children’s hands,’ say Brake.
And this does not mean simply being careful when crossing roads. Road safety incorporates all road users – including motorists, cyclists, bus drivers, and pedestrians, and asks them to think carefully about the safety issues surrounding their actions. From ensuring car seats are secured properly to following the Green Cross Code, road safety affects all our lives, everyday.
Do remember that the campaign's message runs all year round, and provides some very real ways you can improve your road practice.
Brake’s road safety tips for parents
It is important to remember we can all make a difference to road accident figures, and with extra vigilance and care we can help save lives.
- Walking next to the roadside – with younger children, hold hands and always keep kids on the inside
- Always cross roads safely – Stop. Think. Look. Listen. Live.
- Older children – make sure they know not to cross the road while using their mobile phone or while listening to music on head phones
- Buy the safest car – do your research. Safety and reliability are top priorities
- Observe traffic laws – never break speed limits or use your mobile phone whilst driving
- Overloading – never carry extra children or overload the car
- Wake up – never drive if you are tired and take regular breaks when you are driving
- Belt up – seats and belts must be right for your child’s size and weight
- Stay focused – make sure children know it’s dangerous to distract the driver
- Young drivers – make sure your son or daughter is aware of the risks involved with driving
- For details of how to take part in this week, and for an excellent selection of road safety resources, visit roadsafetyweek.org
