David Burrowes MP

Conservative Party | Enfield Southgate

Burrowes Backs Road Safety

David Burrowes, MP for Enfield, Southgate, is joining Road Safety Week (5-11th November) calls by Brake, the road safety charity, for urgent action to stop child death and injury on foot and bike on roads in London and the South East.

Burrowes is highlighting the release of a shocking survey, published by Brake, the road safety charity, which reveals that: six in ten children (59%) in London and the South East feel plagued by fast traffic in their community; six in ten (59%) feel that even the roads around their schools are dangerous; and more than a third (36%) know someone who’s been knocked down. Their views are backed up by their teachers: eight in ten (79%) said there were dangerous roads near their schools.

The survey is released today as part of national Road Safety Week – co-ordinated by road safety charity Brake and supported by 3M, Direct Line and Green Flag Motoring Assistance.

David urged: “In the light of these statistics we must begin to take action. It is essential that we are not passive on this issue.”

More worrying still, Government statistics uncovered by Brake reveal the appalling extent of deaths and injuries among the regions children on foot and bike. In 2006, 443 children aged under 16 were killed or seriously injured while walking or cycling on roads in London and the South East - that’s nine every week.[1] Across the UK, child road deaths rose sharply between 2005 and 2006, after falling steadily over the past decade. Child pedestrian deaths rose from 69 in 2005 to 75 in 2006, while child cyclist deaths rose from 23 to 31 and total child road deaths (on foot, bicycle and in vehicles) rose from 156 to 178 (a 14% increase) in the same period.[2] 

David Burrowes, along with Brake are quick to point out that “While progress has been made in reducing child deaths in the past decade, these shocking figures should act as a wake up call for Government and that every child death on roads is one too many”

 Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns at Brake, says: “Fast traffic blights children’s lives and kills. In a civilised society it is a disgrace that we allow children to die on roads. Every death is horrific and devastating. TV campaigns and central government guidance to local authorities to introduce child safety measures are not enough. We need more Government investment in 20mph safety zones around schools and homes in all communities, comprehensive enforcement of these zones, and all drivers to understand that it is simply shameful to drive any faster in these areas. This will stop deaths and transform communities.” 

 David Burrowes MP is calling for the following measures to protect local children:

*          More 20mph zones around schools and homes, when children are likely to be around, to give children the best chance of survival on roads in their communities.

*          Road safety education in all schools to ensure children are aware of the dangers they face and know how to minimise risks.

*          Challenging Government road casualty reduction targets for child deaths, as well as child deaths and serious injuries combined.