NINE IN TEN DRIVERS BACK LIFE-SAVING 20MPH ZONES OUTSIDE SCHOOLS
05 September 2005 - Green Flag Motoring Assistance

As schools open for the new term, a survey by road safety charity Brake and Green Flag Motoring Assistance reveals that an overwhelming majority of drivers, nearly (89%) - support 20mph zones outside schools to protect children on foot or bikes.

Part two of the Green Flag Report on Safe Driving 2004 surveyed 850 motorists and motorbike riders.

Latest figures released by the government show that a child is hurt or killed while walking or cycling every half hour on Britain''s roads.*

Pedestrian and cyclist casualties peak in the early morning (between 8am and 9am) and then again in the afternoon (between 3pm and 6pm).** Introducing 20mph zones outside schools can make the difference between life and death - hit at 20mph, a child has a 95% chance of survival, compared with a 55% chance of survival if hit at 30mph and a 15% chance at 40mph.

The responsibility for setting local speed limits lies with local authorities, so there is no way of knowing how may pupils risk walking or cycling to school on 40mph, 50mph or even 60mph roads. The government has repeatedly declined appeals from road safety campaigners to prioritise the safety of children by introducing 20mph zones outside all schools. Official statistics show that the proportion of children being driven to school has almost doubled over the past 20 years.***

In 2004, the government introduced a Walking and Cycling Action Plan encouraging healthy, sustainable methods of transport, especially among children who are increasingly being driven to and from school. Brake believes that before encouraging parents to let their children walk and cycle, the Government must ensure schools are situated on roads that are safe for children on foot and bikes.

In Scotland, the Scottish Executive has provided funding to all local authorities for part-time 20mph zones around all schools. By the end of 2004, 845 zones were in place.

Mary Williams OBE, chief executive of Brake, said: ''It''s a tragedy that our children are being put at risk right outside their own schools and that many parents are afraid to let their children walk or cycle to school because it''s too dangerous. This has all sorts of implications on children''s health and the environment as we see increasing levels of traffic on the school run. The Government repeatedly puts traffic flow before the safety of children and communities ? yet this survey shows that drivers almost unanimously support 20mph zones around schools to protect our children from potentially lethal fast-moving traffic.''

Melanie Denny from Green Flag Motoring Assistance said: ''September marks the start of a new school year and with darker evenings is an ideal time to remind drivers to take greater care. Traffic calming measures and reduced speed zones certainly have their place in reducing needless tragedies and if strategically placed, have the support of motorists.''

Through its ''Watch out there''s a kid about!'' campaign, Brake is calling on the Government to introduce a range of measures to protect children, including:
20mph zones outside schools and homes
More pedestrian crossings
More crossing patrols
More pavements and cycle paths
Speed cameras outside schools
Compulsory road safety education in schools.

Earlier this year Brake launched a Zak the Zebra Hotline for people to report roads in their communities that are plagued by dangerous drivers, putting children walking and cycling at risk. Concerned residents can call 08000 68 77 80 to name and shame roads in their area near schools and homes where children are at risk.

www.greenflag.com

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