School children in Gloucester are demanding drivers to slow down
Pupils from Coney Hill Primary School are marching through the community asking cars to watch their speed.
More than 16 primary school children are harmed on UK roads every day. And in the South West 442 children under 11 years old were harmed on roads in 2022.
Research shows excess speed is a factor in 25% of fatal crashes.
Coney Hill Community Primary School, in Gloucester, is one of 720 schools across the UK who have been taking part in marches this week to demand slower speeds.
They have been carrying banners and posters to help raise awareness of the five things they need to help keep them safe near roads: slower traffic, cleaner traffic, better footpaths, better cycle paths, and safe places to cross.
According to national road safety charity, Brake, 78% of parents would like roads near their home and children’s schools to have a 20mph speed limit. Whilst 85% of parents want to see the next Government to do more to make roads safer.
Lucy Straker, campaigns manager at Brake, said: “We all want children to be able to travel to and from school safely. But sadly, every day, more than 16 primary schoolchildren are harmed on our roads.
“Evidence shows us that by lowering the speed limits and reducing the number of vehicles on our roads, we also reduce the risk of people being harmed. This new research from Brake also shows us that people want 20mph speed limits around their homes and their children’s schools.
“So, we call on the future leaders of our country to prioritise safety on roads across our communities, by implementing 20mph as the default speed limit on roads in residential and built-up areas. We must keep our children safe!”