PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
IMPROVING CHILD ROAD SAFETY (1 November 2005)

That this House expresses concern about the number of child pedestrian casualties in the UK; notes that the UK has one of the poorest records for child pedestrian deaths when compared to other European countries; further notes that children from the lowest social class are five times more likely to die in road accidents than those from the highest social class; further notes that more than a quarter of child pedestrian casualties occur in the most deprived ten per cent. of wards; recognises the impact lower speed limits can have on reducing child pedestrian casualties; further notes that 85 per cent. of pedestrians hit at 40 miles per hour will die, 45 per cent. at 30 miles per hour and only 5 per cent. at 20 miles per hour; highlights the pioneering approach taken by Hull City Council to improving road safety with the introduction of 20 mile per hour zones covering 26 per cent. of Hull City, which has resulted in a 74 per cent. reduction in child pedestrian casualties in these 20 mile per hour zones; supports the call by children's charities NCH and Barnardo's for all other local authorities to follow the example of Hull City Council and to increase the number of 20 mile per hour zones in places where children are vulnerable, such as outside schools and residential areas, with priority given to the most deprived areas with high casualty rates; further recognises that improving child road safety education in schools is also an essential component of any child road safety strategy; and calls on both central Government and local authorities to make child road safety a main priority.

Sponsored by:
Dame Diana Johnson (Labour)