CHILD ROAD SAFETY

The UK Government's attitude to child road safety is outlined. Data for child road casualties in 2000 showed that there had been a 24% reduction in child deaths and serious injuries when compared with the average for 1994-1998, the baseline for the 2010 target of a 50% reduction. Child deaths in 2000 were 14% down on 1999 figures but child pedestrian deaths were unchanged. The drop in child deaths and serious injuries was attributed to less drink-driving, more seatbelt wearing, more pedestrianised streets, more controlled crossings and more local safety schemes. Improvements to the child safety record are being made by enforcement, education, engineering and evaluation. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114935.