Local MP John McDonnell supports Road Safety Week campaign to save children’s lives on the road

Local MP John McDonnell is joining Road Safety Week calls by Brake, the road safety charity, for urgent action to stop child death and injury on foot and bike on roads in London and the South East.

Road Safety Week runs from the 5th to the 11th November.

Local MP John McDonnell highlighted the release of a shocking survey, released today (6th November), which reveals that; six in ten children (59%) in London and the South East feel plagued by fast traffic in their community; six in ten (59%) feel that even the roads around their schools are dangerous; and more than a third (36%) know someone who has been knocked down. Their views are backed by teachers; eight in ten (79%) said there were dangerous roads near their schools.

The survey was coordinated by road safety charity Brake.

Government statistics uncovered by Brake reveal the appalling extent of deaths and injuries among children on foot and bike in the region. In 2006, 443 children were killed or seriously injured while walking or cycling on roads in the South East - that is 9 per week. For further details and more statistics from the survey please get in touch with Brake using the contact details below.

While progress has been made in reducing child deaths in the past decade, Brake believes the shocking figures revealed in the survey should act as a wake-up call for Government and that every child death on the roads is one too many.

Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns at Brake, said: “fast traffic blights children’s lives and kills. In a civilised society it is a disgrace that we allow children to die on roads. Every death is horrific and devastating. TV campaigns and central government guidance to local authorities to introduce child safety measures are not enough. We need more Government investment in 20mph safety zones around schools and homes in all communities, comprehensive enforcement of these zones, and all drivers to understand that it is simply shameful to drive any faster in these areas. This will stop deaths and transform communities”.

Local MP John McDonnell said: “too many of our children are being killed and maimed as a result of road accidents. That is why I am calling for the Government to treat this matter seriously and take urgent action”.

For more information on Road Safety Week, please visit http://www.brake.org.uk

submitted by John on 07 Nov 2007 at 13:11