New shoes, new uniform, new road drill
August 21st, 2007. Posted in Motoring & Driving NewsAround 600,000 children will switch from primary to secondary schools this September – but the challenge facing parents should not be fitting kids for new shoes, but kitting them out for the journey between home and school, says the IAM Motoring Trust.
550 children will lose their lives on the road this year, and a change of school is a major danger point for older age groups. In spite of high-profile reporting of violence among children, those aged between five and 14 are five times more likely to die in a road accident than be killed by criminal assault.
“Many children switching to junior or secondary schools will have begged parents to let them start the new term walking or cycling on their own,” says Neil Greig, director of the IAM Motoring Trust. “Those starting sixth-form colleges may now be using mopeds, motorcycles or cars.
“The change of journey, the distractions of new friends and different after-school clubs all put the lives of children at risk.
“Parents can help children by using the last few days of the summer break to practise the route to school together two or three times, without the interruptions of friends. Help the child identify danger spots and pick safe crossing points before the start of term, and they will be better equipped when term begins.”
To help parents educate their children and establish safer road drill before the start of term the IAM Motoring Trust has published a safety guide which highlights dangers specific to different age groups and advice on how to address them.
