©InfoRoad crashes are the main cause of death among school children in the UK. Figures show that in a class of 30 children, two could be killed or injured in a road accident before their 16th birthday. This statistic is alarming and most children and teenagers don’t realise that they are in such a high-risk group.
Globally, road crashes are a worsening humanitarian disaster, destroying lives and livelihoods. Across the world, 1.2 million people die every year from road crashes. It is predicted that this figure will double by 2020.
Teaching children about road safety and equipping them with some first aid skills can prevent accidents and save lives. This briefing looks at the risks that school children face, explains how they can keep safe and suggests how they can prepare themselves to help in the event of a road accident. It also looks at road accidents from a global perspective.
Who is most at risk and why?
In the UK, 12 to 16 year olds are the most vulnerable group of young people – six out of ten have either been involved in a road accident or know someone who has.
Research suggests that young people of this age can be easily distracted. Sixty-two per cent of teenagers say they are distracted by using mobiles and talking to friends when crossing roads. They aren’t thinking about the traffic when they step off the pavement.
Boys are twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured in road accidents as they are more likely to take risks and pay less attention than girls.
Younger children under nine years old are also at risk as they find it hard to judge distances, car speeds and other possible dangers on a road. They are likely to choose the most direct route to cross, without considering walking a little further to cross at a safer spot. Their small size makes them more vulnerable as they are more difficult for drivers to see, especially behind parked cars.
The possibility of a child being involved in an accident rises significantly when they start secondary school and become more independent.
The accident rate is highest between 8am and 9am as children travel to school and again at 3pm when children are on their way home. It lowers significantly during school holidays.
In developing countries, children are even more at risk. In South Africa, for example, more than 26 child deaths per 100,000 people occur as a result of road crashes compared to 1.7 in the UK.
What about young people who are also drivers?
An 18-year-old driver is far more likely to be involved in a crash than a 48 year old. One in five drivers crash within their first year of driving and, as such, new drivers add to accident and casualty rates on our roads.
Research also shows that higher passenger numbers – a young person driving with a group friends, for instance – increase the likelihood of a crash because the driver is more likely to be distracted and lose concentration.
How can young people reduce the risk of being hurt?
Many road traffic injuries can be prevented or reduced. Children and young people themselves can help reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
The probability of being involved in an accident immediately reduces when children learn about the risks and potential dangers on the road. They should know the Green Cross Code – Stop, Look and Listen! – from school. Children should always use designated crossings where possible and assess the dangers and possible hazards of the road before stepping out.
Wearing a crash helmet when cycling or riding a scooter and wearing seat belts in the car are simple ways of reducing the chances of being killed or seriously injured in an accident.
What about first aid?
Up to 85 per cent of preventable pre-hospital deaths from road crashes could be avoided if first aid was administered before the emergency services arrive. It is possible that children walking to school might be the first to arrive at the scene of a crash and their first aid knowledge could save lives.
Basic first aid can be learned by almost anyone. Children over the age of nine can understand and learn many first aid principles which could be helpful at an accident scene. They can learn to keep calm and help others remain calm. They can call for help, keep casualties warm, keep others out of danger by making the area safe and perform any first aid techniques that they have learned until the emergency services arrive.
How do we compare with the rest of Europe?
Casualties among children in the UK are significantly higher than in some other European countries. Research suggests that fewer children in Britain use designated crossings than in France or the Netherlands. British children also spend more time on busy main roads and are less likely to be accompanied by an adult.
What about the rest of the world?
Road accidents kill 1.2 million people a year worldwide. In low and middle-income countries, the total cost of road accidents can be more than a country’s entire development aid income. More than 80 per cent of deaths from road accidents in the world happen in poorer countries.
With an increasing number of vehicles on the road in developing countries, more and more crashes happen. Vehicles are often unsafe and overloaded, road conditions can be lethal and the lack of traffic regulations makes roads more dangerous. Safety measures such as crash helmets and seat belts are not always used. In developing countries, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders account for the majority of deaths from road accidents.
When accidents occur, they can have massive implications for the victims and their families. A severe injury or loss of a family member or friend is devastating wherever you are in the world. However, in poorer countries, the financial impact is often more severe. It can be costly to access health services and difficult to gain any kind of financial support. Therefore, if the main earner of a family is killed or seriously injured, poorer families can be left struggling with the cost of living and can be driven further into poverty.
For more details on first aid and child road safety, visit redcross.org.uk/firstaid and thinkroadsafety.gov.uk
For more details on the Global Road Safety campaign, visit www.makeroadssafe.com and www.who.int/roadsafety/week/en
This ten-minute briefing was produced in April 2007.