Safety group calls for youngsters to walk to school

Road Safety Scotland has urged parents in Edinburgh to ditch their cars during the school run, and instead to walk their children to school to show them the value of road safety.

The organisation says that road traffic accidents are the single biggest cause of deaths of children and young people across Britain, and argues that a car journey to school is actually more dangerous to youngsters than letting them walk.

Michael McDonnell, director of Road Safety Scotland, said: "Parents think they are protecting their children by driving them to school but in fact they are storing up problems for the future, as children are not being taught basic road safety skills.

"Walking at least part of the way to school is an excellent way for children to learn pedestrian road safety skills, which is crucial as they grow up."

Mr McDonnell added: "Children aged 11 and 12 are most at risk of being killed or seriously injured on the roads. This is thought to be because they are starting to travel independently and lack experience in dealing with traffic.

"Road Safety Scotland is calling all parents to try to walk their children to school or, if that's not possible, park the car a short distance from the school and walk the rest of the journey."

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