Act now to save daylight and save lives

Road casualty figures released this year showed an alarming increase in deaths among child pedestrians and child cyclists in 2006 and the Local Authority Road Safety Officers' Association fears that figure may continue to rise as we approach the most dangerous time of the year for vulnerable road users.

At the end of this month (October) the clocks will be turned back one hour plunging the country into darkness during the afternoon and evening rush hour. LARSOA is campaigning to move time forward throughout the year so there is an extra hour of daylight during the winter months.

The Association says research proves many lives could be saved and injuries prevented by allowing an extra hour of daylight at the time of day when many people are returning home from school and work.

David Frost from LARSOA explains: "There would be between 104 and 138 fewer deaths each year. The figures also show that would amount to a total of 450 fewer deaths and serious injuries.

"By introducing the system of Double British Summertime, the government could go a long way to hitting its target of reducing deaths and serious injuries on the roads by 40% by 2010 - the target for children goes further with a 50% reduction.

"Extra daylight on winter afternoons would protect the most vulnerable road users, cyclists and pedestrians such as children returning home from school and the elderly, who are often afraid of being out after dark."

In effect the UK time would remain at GMT plus one hour and in the spring the clocks would go forward one hour taking us to GMT plus two hours during the summer.

LARSOA is also promoting the other benefits of Double British Summertime including health benefits and energy saving measures. David adds: "An extended outdoor leisure time when there are relatively few daylight hours would give more people time to take exercise and help the government in its campaign to reduce obesity.

"If the government wants to cut obesity, particularly among young people, where the rates are growing rapidly, then it needs to consider ensuring they have time to pursue outdoor sports after school hours.

"There would also be considerable savings in energy costs as consumption would be reduced because of the extra daylight hour.

"But most important of all, we can't ignore the fact that in 2006 169 children died on the roads and the combined numbers of those killed and seriously injured was 3,294 - nine children every day of the year."

Notes to Newsdesks/Reporters: For further information please contact: Pete Whelan Jnr on 01287 610404 or 07863 130124.

ABOUT LARSOA

LARSOA is a national road safety organisation representing road safety officers (RSOs) employed in local government across the UK.

LARSOA represents 185 of the 200 eligible local authorities across the UK, assisting RSOs to fulfil their statutory role to reduce the number and severity of road casualties through education, training and publicity programmes.

LARSOA publishes an up-to-date round-up of road safety news from across the UK on its website www.larsoa.org.uk .

LARSOA also aims to influence national debate - government policy and action together with public opinion. The association works to achieve national recognition for road safety issues, commissions research into behaviour which contributes to road collisions and develops national road safety campaigns.

The association assists in identifying achievable national targets to reduce the number of collisions on the country's roads.