12 November 2008
Road Safety Week 2008
Drivers are being urged to slow down to 20mph around schools and to take more notice of cyclists as part of this year’s Road Safety Week (10-17 November 2008).
According to research carried out by UK charity Brake, more than 84% of Welsh schoolchildren believe that motorists drive too fast past schools and homes. Up to eight children a month are killed or seriously injured while walking or cycling in Wales, and 67% believe that the roads around their schools are dangerous.
More than £11m has been invested in creating safe routes to school in Bridgend County Borough. With recent routes opened at Cwmfelin Primary and Llangewydd Junior schools, the Welsh Assembly Government initiative provides local councils with funding for schemes that encourage children and families to use more sustainable ways of getting to school and back and travelling locally.
Other road safety initiatives run by the council and its partners include:
- Kerbcraft - road safety training for primary and infant school pupils.
- Crucial Crew - a special road safety session for all pupils aged 10 - 11 pupils using the Safety Zone, a purpose-built facility in Treforest.
- Road safety shows - live drama that teaches children how to stay safe on local roads.
- Junior road safety officers - encouraging pupils to help spot dangers and prevent accidents.
- Children’s Traffic Club - road safety skills for parents and three - four year olds.
- Pass Plus Cymru - provides young drivers with additional driving skills.
- Walk To School Week - projects incorporating ‘park and stride’ and ‘walking bus’ schemes.
- School Travel Plans - develops safe routes by reducing the amount of traffic visiting a school.
- School crossing patrols - a traditional and important road safety role.
- Road safety resource library - a library of information, books and materials that schools can borrow to help teach and promote road safety to pupils.
- Your Life In Their Hands - a special resource incorporating a short film and computer/card games that teach pupils how to stay safe while using school transport.
The council’s road safety team also work on a number of campaigns that are aimed at improving motorcycle safety, winter driving and the use of seatbelts and child car seats.
Councillor Alana Davies, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The council carries out a great deal of positive work to help keep children safe on local roads, but we can all do our bit to help prevent accidents in the meantime.”
For more details about road safety in Bridgend County Borough, visit www.bridgend.gov.uk
- Last Updated: 12/11/2008
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