Lib Dems Call For Action on Children's Road Safety

3.51.53pm GMT Fri 12th Nov 2004

We need these near all schools

Kenilworth Liberal Democrats are calling on M.P. Andy King to demonstrate his support for better action on children's road safety, by signing Early Day Motion (EDM) no. 1735 in the House of Commons. This EDM welcomes a new report by Transport 2000 and Barnado's which is based on children's views on traffic.

The report identified speeding, bad driver behaviour and busy roads as the main problems that children encountered on the roads. These issues are preventing many children from using the road network to go to places and are forcing more parents to decide to drive their child somewhere rather than let them walk.

The report puts forward some important recommendations including:

• Promotion of 20 m.p.h. speed limits around all schools;

• Investment in traffic calming in deprived communities where child road casualties are highest;

• Consultation with children on all traffic issues, not just around schools;

• Greater education for drivers about children and the roads;

• Greater police presence on the streets to enforce basic traffic law, such as stopping at zebra crossings.

Local campaigner John Whitehouse

Kenilworth Lib Dem Chairman John Whitehouse, who has written to Mr. King on the issue, said:

"With two young grandchildren of my own, the eldest recently started nursery school, I am acutely aware of the traffic hazards faced by children. Also as a primary school governor here in Kenilworth, I am a strong advocate of much more being done to create safer areas around all our schools.

I believe this report puts forward some very practical and realistic suggestions for improvements that would dramatically help to reduce the child casualty figures in this country."

Related Links:

Early Day Motion no. 1735

Report: Stop, Look and Listen: Children's Views on Traffic