15/11/2024

Essential road safety tips for parents 

Road Safety Week is an annual initiative set up by Brake, and a timely reminder of the importance of teaching road safety to our children. With shorter daylight hours and busy school commutes, both kids and adults need to be vigilant about road safety. We've got 10 essential road safety tips to help parents keep their families safe on the road.

10 top road safety tips for parents

Back to basics

The Green Cross Code is a lifesaver, literally. According to Department for Transport statistics, child pedestrians are most at risk between 3 pm and 5 pm during the school run. Teaching children the basics—Stop, Look, Listen, and Think—is a proven method to reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents, especially during busy times.

Lead by example

Children learn by watching their parents. By practicing good road safety habits yourself, you can set an example for them. Statistics show that a third of pedestrian casualties are caused by crossing roads away from pedestrian crossings, highlighting the importance of using designated crossings even when shortcuts seem tempting.

Be seen

Visibility is crucial, especially as nearly 40% of road accidents occur in the evening or night. With shorter daylight hours during autumn and winter, reflective clothing can significantly increase safety. Research indicates that pedestrians wearing reflective gear are 37% less likely to be involved in an accident during low-light conditions.

Set clear and simple rules

It's worrying that children aged 11-15 have the highest rate of road casualties among young pedestrians, largely because they begin walking independently during these years. Setting clear guidelines on where and how to cross roads safely is crucial, especially in urban areas where traffic is dense.

Bike and Scooter Safety

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, children on bicycles are particularly vulnerable. Always ensure your child wears a helmet and understands how to follow road rules. In fact, helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85% in the event of an accident.

Encourage Safe Car Habits

Road incidents involving children often occur during simple actions like getting in and out of cars. Parking and pedestrian awareness are crucial. Teaching kids to exit the car on the pavement side and avoid crossing between parked cars can minimize these risks.

Careful around schools

School zones are high-risk areas for accidents. In fact, one in four road accidents involving children occurs during school travel times. Many schools have introduced speed limits and safety measures in these zones, but extra vigilance is still essential. Parking in designated areas and adhering to school zone speed limits can help ensure the safety of all students.

Signs and signals

Learning basic road signs helps children understand and navigate the streets more safely. Studies show that children under 10 may not always perceive speed and distance accurately. By learning to recognize road signs and signals, children gain an extra layer of awareness that can help keep them safe.

Tech responsibility

Technology can be a significant distraction, especially for teenagers. Statistics reveal that distraction by phones is a contributing factor in 15% of pedestrian accidents. Encourage your children to avoid using phones while walking, especially when crossing roads, to help prevent avoidable accidents.

Emergency response

Finally, preparing your child for unexpected situations is a valuable part of road safety. According to the UK’s THINK! Road Safety campaign, encouraging children to know what to do in case they feel unsafe or need help can empower them to make safer decisions independently.

Road safety awareness for kids

UK Road Safety Week highlights the fact that thousands of families are affected by road accidents each year. By implementing these simple yet effective road safety tips, you can help protect your children from becoming part of these statistics. Small actions like wearing reflective gear, learning road signs, and setting clear rules can make a big difference, making roads safer for everyone.