Children urged 'Be Safe Be Seen' this winter

With the clocks going back this weekend and the weather worsening, children are being urged to stay visible on the roads as part of the annual 'Be Safe Be Seen' campaign.

With over 900 children killed or seriously injured on Great Britain's roads in the winter months of 2003, the government is reminding youngsters that not only is it important to be seen after dark, but also in bad weather, when drivers may not be able to see as clearly. For maximum visibility, fluorescent or bright clothing should be worn in the daytime and reflective material should be worn at night.

For 2003 as a whole (and including unitary authorities), 85 child pedestrians were killed or injured in Bedfordshire; 84 in Cambridgeshire; 257 in Essex; 165 in Hertfordshire; 110 in Norfolk; and 81 in Suffolk.

Road Safety Minister David Jamieson said: "The number of children killed and seriously injured on our roads is falling every year, but we do need to be extra careful in the winter months when driver visibility is poor. It's as important to be visible in mist, rain and fog as it is after dark. Be Safe, Be Seen this year is about encouraging parents to make sure their children have both fluorescent and reflective clothing to ensure they can be seen whatever the conditions. And at the same time drivers also need to take care and look out for children."

It is against the law to cycle after dark without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back. Fluorescent jackets that have reflective strips across them also help children to stay visible when out on their bikes in the day or in the evening.

The government is attempting to reduce child death and injury on the roads by 50% by 2010 compared to the 1994-1998 average. In 2003 the number of children killed or seriously injured fell by 40% against the baseline.

(gmcg/sp)