[PR] Half of children killed on our roads are pedestrians

Victor

Motorists, watch out for children!

http://www.rsa.ie/NEWS/News/Elverys_Launch.html

Half of children killed on our roads are pedestrians
Elverys Sports & RSA Launch Back to School Promotion

Thursday 2nd August 2007 - A report on child road user casualties produced by the Road Safety Authority and co-funded by Elverys Sports shows that a total of 141 children under 14 years of age died and 5,732 suffered serious and minor injuries on our roads between 1998 and 2005.

The report ‘Child Road User Casualties 1998 to 2005’ indicates that just under half (48.9%) of children killed on our roads were pedestrians. Over a third (35%) of children killed were passengers in cars.

The figures were revealed at the launch of the Elvery’s Sports 2007 ‘Back to School’ promotion which is being supported by the Road Safety Authority. Elverys Sports are giving away a free reflective backpack worth €20 with every €50 spent in stores through the back to school period.

On a positive note, between 1998 and 2005 there was a 72% reduction in the number of children under 14 years of age killed on our roads annually.

Commenting on the findings in the report Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive, RSA said “There are two important messages here. The first is that over the period the numbers of children being killed on our roads has been dropping steadily. The second, is that to continue this trend parents need to make sure children know the safe cross code, wear high visibility clothing whenever possible and ensure they are belted up or using the correct child car seats on every trip.”

Mr. Patrick Rowland, CEO Elvery’s Sports said ‘’Elverys Sports are delighted to work with the RSA on the research report on child casualties and to be involved in a back to school promotion supported by the RSA. I have no doubt that our back to school promotion will help increase the visibility of children going to and coming from school and help reduce incidents involving school going pedestrians.”

He added that “Families and children are a very important part of our customer base and we see these initiatives in helping reduce child road casualties as a way of rewarding our loyal customers as well as business taking a pro-active approach to help tackle the wider social issue of road safety.”

The figures on road deaths for children were particularly encouraging for those using bicycles. The drop in fatalities between 1998 and 2005 was 100% as no children were killed in either 2004 or 2005 while cycling. However, 472 child cyclists were injured over the period examined.

The RSA also examined the breakdown of road deaths and injuries for children in urban and rural locations. 36% of fatalities and 57.5% of injuries occurred inside built up areas. 64% of fatalities and 42.5% of injuries happened in rural areas.

Concluding Mr. Brett said “Parents are best placed to teach children about road safety. But remember a child will do as you do, not as you say. So please set a good example yourself. Whether your child is walking to school, travelling by bus, cycling or you are driving your child to school the following safety guidelines apply”.

Travelling by Car
• All children should be restrained when travelling in a car
• Select a restraint that is based on your child’s weight and height and is suitable for the type of car
• Remember its safer if children travel in the rear of a car
• Never leave children alone in a car

Walking to School
• Small children should not cross roads alone. They cannot decide how far away a car is or how fast it is going
• Children walking on country roads should wear reflective armbands and bright clothing
• If there is no footpath, walk on the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic keeping as close as possible to the side of the road
• Show your child how to cross the road by example. Choose safe places to cross and take time to explain why i.e. footbridges, zebra or pelican crossings, lollipop lady/man or junior school warden patrol.

Travelling by Bus
• Teach children to take special care getting on or off a bus or mini-bus
• While waiting for a bus, children should stand well in off the road
• Before crossing the road they should wait until the bus has moved off and they can see clearly in both directions
• If seatbelts are fitted they must be worn

Cycle Safety
• Make sure they are highly visible by wearing a reflective belt and bright clothes and wear a bicycle safety helmet on all journeys
• Check that the bicycle’s brakes, lights, reflector and bell are in good working order

U14 Child Casualties Report 1998 - 2005

Stark

Love the comment from the taxi chief:

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhcwkfidsnkf/rss2/

“Once again motorists and professional drivers are being penalised for the ill manners of pedestrians and cyclists."

Bit rich coming from a taxi driver

Hotblack Desiato

Once upon a time I'm sure the proportion was way more than half - nothing like as many kids being ferried around everywhere in cars...

Actually, that indicates to me that not nearly enough parents are taking the issue of child seats etc. seriously. A child crossing or running out into the road is very vulnerable, a child inside a car, properly restrained in the rear seats should be well protected even in a quite severe accident.

I never cease to be amazed at the number of parents who allow kids unrestrained in the car, or let them in the front seat with an adult belt when it's entirely inappropriate for their age/size.

Hagar

It is not known if the new limits will be enforced on bus corridors.

As the bus lanes are closest to the footpath, where most pedestrians are normally, surely the limit should be applied with maximum force to anyone allowed use the bus lane? The ordinary motorist is approx 3m from the kerb where there are bus lanes and given that little bit of extra reaction time he has therefore is much less of a risk to a pedestrian stepping off the kerb.

Victor

From Church street to Beresford Place.

1.20km @ 50km/h = 86.40 seconds
1.20km @ 30km/h = 144.00 seconds
Difference = 57.60 seconds

Of course, most of the time traffic does reach 30km/h or even 50km/h and when it does, when traffic is quiet, well there won't be a huge problem.