Parents worry over UK road safety

20/07/11
By Gemma Roberts

Around 30 per cent of parents in this country think their children are at an increased risk from speeding traffic on UK roads compared with other European countries, a poll reveals.

The survey by road safety charity Brake also revealed that 70 per cent of parents worried about their own safety as pedestrians.

Around 91 per cent admitted that they would prefer traffic around their homes to slow down and drive more carefully, while 83 per cent said they worried about children playing on the streets near their property.

And 74 per cent felt that more should be done to prevent speeding traffic around schools and community facilities, the poll of 2,000 people found.

Brake campaigns director Julie Townsend said: "It's time that all drivers took responsibility and slowed down to 20mph or below when driving in communities so everyone, especially children, get to enjoy their local neighbourhood safely.

"We're also calling on local authorities to follow the lead of places like Portsmouth and put in place more widespread 20mph limits, which are a cost-effective way to help make our communities safer, healthier, and more family-friendly places."

Road safety minister Mike Penning said: "Britain has some of the safest roads in the world, but if we are to continue to reduce casualties then everyone has a role to play."