‘Go safe – road safe’ to help save kids’ lives

Scottish Road Safety Week aims to boost child road safety awareness.

Saving children’s lives and making Scotland’s roads safer is the message at the heart of Scottish Road Safety Week (SRSW) in the Highland area.

The Scottish Road Safety Week (SRSW) runs this week till 10 May. While the week is aimed at raising the awareness of road safety across the country, it will focus particularly on keeping children safe, whether walking, cycling or in the car.

The number of people killed and injured on Scotland’s roads has fallen significantly in recent years, since the 2009 introduction of Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020. Figures for 2013, the most recent year available, show deaths and injuries were at the lowest levels since records began.

Lisa MacKellaich Highland Council’s Road Safety Officer said: “The distinctive approach we have taken in recent years is keeping us on track to realising our vision that everyone can Go Safe on Scotland’s Roads to 2020, and beyond. We set clear targets for reducing casualties on our roads – backed up by action – and the most recent statistics available show we are at an all-time low.

“However, on Scotland’s roads in 2013 there were still 1,062 child casualties, 143 of whom were seriously injured, and nine died. That is nine too many, so we must continue to reduce the number of children hurt and killed, and we will do all we can to keep our children safe. The 2015 Scottish Road Safety Week makes sure this message is at the forefront of peoples’ minds.”

Along with regional and local activities, SRSW also provide practical advice for parents, carers and schools on keeping children safer. SRSW is running in parallel with the United Nations’ Global Road Safety Week, to make the most of the international focus on children and road safety during that period.

For further information please contact The Highland Council’s Road Safety Team on 01463-252923 or email: road.safety@highland.gov.uk