[PR] RSA Child Casualties Report 1997-2006

Victor

ROAD SAFETY AUTHORITY
Moy Valley, Ballina, Co. Mayo. www.rsa.ie


Dear Subscriber,
A new publication has been uploaded on the Road Safety Authority website, which you can review below.

Title: Child Casualties Report 1997-2006, Description:Child Casualties Report 1997-2006, Category:Road Safety

http://www.rsa.ie/NEWS/News/Back_to_School_08.html

RSA Report Reveals 41% Reduction in Child Road Deaths Over 10 Year Period.

RSA Asks Parents and Students to Get Streetwise!


A new report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Child Casualties Report: 1997 - 2006 has revealed that there was a 40.7% drop in child road deaths between 1997 and 2006. Despite this reduction, the report shows that Ireland is still falling behind other EU countries with figures showing that Ireland had the 2nd highest child casualty rate of the old EU 15 Member States in 2006.

The report is being published by the RSA as parents and children prepare for the start of the new school year in September. The RSA is asking parents and children to get ‘streetwise’ about road safety in advance of the new school term.

Noel Brett, Chief Executive, RSA said: “Overall, the findings from the report are positive. However, our analysis of child road deaths among the old 15 EU Member States shows that Ireland had the 2nd highest child casualty rate in 2006. There is still more work to be done and we all need to take responsibility for our children’s safety on the roads. During the period 1997 to 2006, 43% of children killed were pedestrians, 35% were passengers in a car and 14% were pedal cyclists. We are asking parents and guardians to consider including high visibility clothing, bicycle helmets and other life saving road safety gear on their ‘back to school’ shopping lists and make sure their kids are ‘streetwise’ about road safety before they go back to school”.

“Demonstrate good road safety behaviour at all times as your child will learn from your example. So if your child walks or cycles to school, take them on the route in advance and make sure they know where they are going. If they travel by car or bus, make sure they know how important it is to put their seatbelt on at all times,” he added.

Mr. Brett also had a message for teachers: “We would also ask teachers to consider including a road safety lesson from the RSA’s road safety resources in their classes. There’s ‘Be Safe’ for primary level which includes the Safe Cross Code. At secondary level, we have a teaching resource entitled ‘Streetwise’ and the new Transition Year programme “Road Safe” which was piloted in over 40 schools last year and is available from October 2008.”

The report highlights that of the old 15 EU Member States (where information was available), Greece had the highest child casualty rate in 2006 with 23 deaths per million population. Ireland had the second highest rate with 19 deaths per million population. The lowest rate was Finland with 5 deaths per million population.

The report also shows that over the ten year period, 1997 to 2006, 198 children (14 years of age and younger) have been killed and 855 seriously injured on Irish roads. Compared to 1997, figures from 2006 have shown a 40.7% reduction in the number of children 14 years of age and younger killed on our roads, and a 51.5% reduction in the number of children in the same age group that were injured on our roads.

A further analysis of child road deaths and injuries shows that, compared to 1997, there has been a 45.5% decrease in pedestrian fatalities in the 0 to 14 age group in 2006, a 100% decrease in cyclist fatalities and an 18.2% decrease in car passenger fatalities.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: “While the number of children being killed and injured on our roads has declined, one child fatality is still one too many. The RSA is trying to improve safety for children on our roads through campaigns such as the child car seats campaign, the ‘Check it Fits’ Roadshow and the ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’, ‘Hi Glo Sliver’ campaigns which are specifically targeted at parents and younger road-users.”

“And today, we are calling on parents, guardians and members of the community to also do their part. Teach your child the importance of road safety. Set them an example – your child will learn from what you do, so make sure you always demonstrate good road safety behaviour.”

The report also highlights that 6 out of 10 child road deaths (aged 14 and younger) in this period were male (59%). An analysis of the statistics shows that children are more likely to be killed on the roads in June and July, during the hours of 3:00pm and 7:59pm. 61% of child fatalities occurred outside a built-up area where speed limits were above 60km/h.

The Road Safety Authority is providing the following ‘back to school’ advice for parents and children:

Travelling by Car
* All children should be restrained when travelling in a car
* Select a restraint that is based on your child’s weight and height and is suitable for the type of car#
* Remember its safer if children travel in the rear of a car
* Never leave children alone in a car

Walking to School
* Small children should not cross roads alone. They cannot decide how far away a car is or how fast it is going
* Children walking on country roads should wear reflective armbands and bright clothing
* If there is no footpath, walk on the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic keeping as close as possible to the side of the road
* Show your child how to cross the road by example. Choose safe places to cross and take time to explain why i.e. footbridges, zebra or pelican crossings, lollipop lady/man or junior school warden patrol.

Travelling by Bus
* Teach children to take special care getting on or off a bus or mini-bus
* While waiting for a bus, children should stand well in off the road
* Before crossing the road they should wait until the bus has moved off and they can see clearly in both directions
* If seatbelts are fitted they must be worn

Cycle Safety
* Make sure they are highly visible by wearing a reflective belt and bright clothes and wear a bicycle safety helmet on all journeys
* Check that the bicycle’s brakes, lights, reflector and bell are in good working order

ENDS