Right Start programme gets national platform

Lancashire County Council's child pedestrian training programme, Right Start, will receive a national platform this week at RoSPA’s 69th National Road Safety Congress, 1-3 March at Cardiff City Hall.

The County’s Road Safety Group will talk about the benefits of Right Start and how it has helped train over 15,000 schoolchildren since 1999.

"One of the most difficult road safety challenges is to reduce the risk faced by children," says Alan Fisher, (pictured) principal road safety adviser. "Right Start is based on research by Dr J Thompson of Strathclyde University, which shows that children learn best through practical experience in the traffic environment.

"'It is every child's right to have the Right Start in life' is our message and the slogan we use to promote the programme."

Right Start comprises three stages - 'Let's Talk', 'Let's Do' and 'Let's Remember' - each involving a series of activities. It is delivered through a cascade training model by ‘approved trainers’ - teachers, parents and volunteers.

Over 200 schools across the County have taken part in the Right Start training programme. For further information call 0800 328 1635 or visit www.lancashireroadsafety.co.uk