Road safety for parents

In 2006 on Plymouth's roads:

• Eight children under five were injured
• 14 children aged six to 10 were injured
• 35 children aged 11 to 16 were injured

Although the overall numbers injured are low and the majority of the injuries are slight, the shock of the incident and longer term effects will affect a child and the family in a negative way. More information about child casualty numbers, locations, and ages can be found in our child road safety audit.

Keeping children safe

Young children

Children have difficulty judging speed or distance until they are about eight. For this reason you should never let them out alone or let them cross the road by themselves.

Children learn best by being shown the correct way to cross the road - they will copy what you do, good or bad! So set a good example.

• Always hold their hand or use reins or a buggy
• Get them to walk on the side of the pavement away from the traffic
• Don't let them run ahead
• Tell them about safer places to cross such as zebra crossings or puffin light controlled crossings. Set a good example and use these safer places to cross - even if it means walking a few more steps!
• Explain what the kerb is and that it is where they should stop, look both ways and listen for traffic before crossing
• As your child learns get them to tell you where and when to cross

More information can be found in the leaflet below:

Get across road safety [822.9KB]

The road safety team can also send out copies of this leaflet to parents, schools or groups who need it - please contact us.

Teenagers

Young people aged 11 to 16 make up the highest number of pedestrian casualties in Plymouth. Nationally traffic is the biggest single cause of accidental death for 12 to 16 year olds. It is therefore essential for young people in this age group to be especially aware of the dangers of traffic. Distraction from using a mobile phone, personal stereos or chatting to friends is a big cause of incidents on the road for teenagers.

• Warn your children about the dangers of distractions from their mobile, personal stereo or chatting to friends whilst crossing the road
• Talk to them about routes they walk to school, friends' homes or leisure activities and see if they have noticed any hazardous locations. Point them out if they haven't!
• Stress the importance of skateboarding and playing ball games well away from the edge of the road
• Encourage them to wear a cycle helmet and not to give lifts to friends on their bike
• Get them to plan what they would do in advance if they missed the bus or if they had to stay behind at school
• If your child is moving up to secondary school find out what planning the schools do to help the children find safe routes to their new school
• If your child has special educational needs there is an independent travel training scheme to help your child become more independent, gain problem solving skills and become less reliant on family and friends

Child car seats

The following are straightforward tips on how to safely strap your child into their car seat:

• Your child needs to be in the correct seat for their height and weight
• Baby seats are for babies up to 13kg in weight (birth to nine to 12 months)
• Child car seats are for children weighing between nine kg and 18kg (aged nine months to about four years)
• Booster seats or cushions are for children weighing 15kg to 36kg (aged about four to 11)
• The adult belt should not be used by children until they are over five feet tall
• Never place a rear-facing seat near an active frontal airbag
• Forward-facing restraints should be as far back from the airbag as possible
• Always check the handbook if you are unsure

More information about child car seats and the law which came into effect on 18 September 2006 can be found on the child car seats website.