Road Safety GB campaign highlights clock change danger

Child pedestrian fatalities double following switch from British Summer Time

Recently-released national road safety figures have revealed the extent of the danger presented to children by the darker evenings that follow October’s clock change.

The Great Britain Road Casualty 2008 figures show that more than twice the number of child pedestrians were killed on the nation’s roads in November compared with October and December, whilst there is a 10% increase in the overall number of pedestrian fatalities.  Britain’s clocks move back one hour on the 25th October.

In 2008, there were 57 child fatalities on the UK’s roads, of which nine were in November.  Overall, 1,784 children under the age of 16 were killed or seriously injured, down from 1,899 in 2007.

Road Safety GB, the national road safety organisation, has responded by launching a campaign in support of the Department for Transport’s ‘Be Bright, Be Seen’ campaign.  The national campaign encourages children to wear bright, reflective clothing, especially for walks to and from school – but Road Safety GB is also calling for adults and drivers to be more aware at this time of year. 

Alan Kennedy, chairman of Road Safety GB, said:  “Although the number of people being killed or injured on our roads is decreasing, the change in the clocks makes November particularly dangerous for all road users – especially in the evening rush hour.  During the week, nearly 40% of all pedestrian casualties occur between 3pm and 6pm, and the darker evenings mean drivers and pedestrians need to take extra care on our roads.

“’Be Bright, Be Seen’ places the responsibility on people of all ages to ensure children wear bright, reflective clothing – but also on rush hour drivers to be especially watchful during their journeys, ensuring headlights are working correctly.”

Road Safety GB has launched a series of posters which Road Safety Officers can use across the UK within schools, youth clubs and other suitable venues.  The campaign features three pairs of children walking on a pavement alongside a road - in each case one child is wearing hi-vis clothing while the other is not. The headline says: 'SEE the difference it makes'.

The campaign has been financed by Road Safety GB and developed in partnership with the Department for Transport’s THINK! team.  It is designed to complement the THINK! 'Be bright' resources, which are part of the Tales of the Road campaign that primarily targets children.

For more information, please contact Peter Wrathmell at SKV Communications on  or 0161 838 7770.