Children as pedestrians

In line with current health and wellbeing outcomes for children, which encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, walking is a good way to travel to school. Whilst acknowledging this, it is important to be aware that statistics show that children are often at risk from traffic accidents especially on the routes to and from school.
It is especially important to make sure your child knows how and where to cross the road safely. The education resources in our Education and Families section support learning to be a safe pedestrian.

The Facts

The Scottish Government has set targets for the year 2020 to reduce by 50% all children killed or seriously injured on the roads:
The number of casualties increases as children move from primary to secondary school: 30% more children are killed or injured in the S1/S2 years than in the P6/P7 years;

The number of child casualties occurring on journeys to/from school peaks around the age of 12, increasing almost threefold from the age of 10 to the age of 12.

The number of male pedestrian casualties up to age 13 was significantly greater than female casualties.

Statistics show that children are often at risk from traffic accidents especially on the routes to and from school. It is especially important to make sure your child knows how and where to cross the road safely.

The facts

The Government set targets for the year 2010 to reduce by 50% all children killed or seriously injuried on the roads. The reasons for this is:

  • Every day at least 10 children aged from 5 to 15 years old are killed or injured on Scotland's roads.
  • Half of these children killed or injured are pedestrians.
  • Boys are twice as likely to be killed in road accidents than girls.
  • Most accidents happen during week days.
  • The worst time for accidents is between 3pm and 6pm on weekdays.
  • Most road accidents involving children happen within half a mile of their own homes.

Crossing the road

Where possible try to use crossing places such as:-

  • Pelican Crossings
  • Zebra Crossings
  • Subways
  • Footbridges
  • Traffic Islands
  • School Crossing Patrols

Or just find a safe place away from parked cars where you can see clearly both ways along the road.

Safer routes to school

Many accidents happen on the route to, and in particular from, school. Pupil's risk is increased when they move from Primary to Secondary school. Many children are faced with a different journey to school which may involve using the bus or crossing busy roads for the first time on their own.

Parents and carers can ensure these journeys to school are safer by doing the following:-

  • Try out the route with your child by doing a 'dry run' before they start secondary school.
  • Make your child familiar with the route to their new school before term begins.
  • Pick out the safer places to cross and avoid crossing at busy junctions.
  • Point out the dangers to your child

More information can be obtained from your local Road Safety Officer

Walk to School Week

Walk to School Week campaign’s aim is to encourage all parents, children and young people to make walking to school part of their daily routine. This builds a habit of walking which we hope will remain with them for the rest of their lives, as a part of an active lifestyle.

The campaign is run by national charity Living Streets. As part of the campaign, we run two national awareness events: Walk to School Week runs in May each year with Walk to School Month taking place in October. For more information click here.