The clock change means brighter mornings but darker evenings, and in 2005 more than half the accidents involving child pedestrians in the South East happened between 3pm and 6pm. This means more than 90 of the 182 child pedestrians who were killed or seriously injured on roads in the region last year were involved in incidents between those hours.
The Be Safe Be Seen campaign, which was launched this week by Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander at the Nationwide Building Society's 'Cats' Eyes for Kids' event at the House of Commons, is urging children to be safer by being more visible. That means wearing fluorescent clothes by day and reflective clothing in the dark.
Douglas Alexander said, "The number of children killed or seriously injured on our roads is falling every year but we do need to be extra careful in winter months. Over three quarters of children involved in traffic accidents last year were cycling or on foot so we need to help them stay visible in the dark and bad weather. And at the same time, drivers also need to take extra care and look out for children."
To coincide with the clock change, a new sing-along version of the animated Hedgehogs advert has been launched to get children and parents thinking about road safety. In cinemas across the country families can now learn about keeping safe during the winter months with Spike and his hedgehog buddies.
The THINK! campaign has produced the following top tips for children on how to stay safe when out and about this winter:
Be Safe Be Seen - Top Tips
- Make sure you can be easily seen, especially at night, on dark days and in bad weather.
- Bright or fluorescent clothes show up best by day, even in dull or misty weather.
- In the dark, reflective material is best and shows up in car headlights - remember fluorescent clothing doesn't work after dark. You can put reflective tape on your coat or school bag to help you be seen by drivers.
- It is against the law to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back, so make sure that your bike is properly equipped and working.
- Cross the road at the safest place possible e.g. zebra, pelican and patrolled crossings. Remember to use the Green Cross Code: Stop, Look, Listen, Live.
- If you're out at night, choose routes that are well-lit by streetlights and cross the road at well-lit places.
- If there is no pavement and you have to walk on the road, always face the oncoming traffic - this is particularly important in poor light or in the dark.
- Find out about 'walking buses' where children walk in groups and are more visible by contacting your child's school or your local council.
For more information on how children can stay safe on the roads visit http://www.hedgehogs.gov.uk, the road safety hedgehogs site, full of interactive road safety advice, games and competitions.
