Surge in children killed or injured on Manchester roads
City’s schools take action
Last updated 26th Jun 2019
Two children are killed or injured every day on roads in Greater Manchester.
Figures from the Department for Transport show it’s one of the most dangerous areas for such casualties in the North West, with 716 reported injuries or deaths in 2017.
Over 9,500 school kids from across the region will take to the streets today to call for safer roads.
The ‘Kids Walk with Shaun the Sheep’, is part of a country-wide project by road safety charity Brake aiming to highlight the extent of road danger for children.
St Gilberts RC Primary School in Greater Manchester is one of the schools taking part.
Teacher Diana Hermitt said; “Our school is delighted to take part in Brake’s Kids Walk with Shaun the Sheep and help raise awareness about how we can all make our roads safer.”
“We’re passionate about encouraging our children to live healthy lifestyles, which includes walking in their local community.”
The schools will also be running special road-safety assemblies and activities throughout the week.
Dave Nichols, community engagement manager for Brake, said; “Every child should be able to walk in their community without fear of traffic or pollution.”
“Unfortunately, many kids are unable to do so because they don’t have access to simple measures such as footpaths, cycle paths and safe places to cross.”
The charity is calling on councils to improve five measures to help protect kids on the road.
These are: footpaths, cycle paths, places to cross, slow traffic and clean traffic.