 |
|
PRESS RELEASE 4 September 2009 Back to School Safety Advice In Northern Ireland over 300,000 children travel to school everyday. Between 2002 and 2008, 66 children aged under 16 were killed in Northern Ireland as a result of a road traffic collision, 813 were seriously injured and 5737 were slightly injured. As the new school term commences, the Southern Area Accident Prevention Liaison Group (SAAPLG) is calling on all parents to take caution on the roads and ensure that their children wear a seatbelt at all times whilst travelling to and from school. Chair of SAAPLG, Dr Vinod Tohani, Public Health Agency said: “The start of each new school year should act as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that children are properly restrained, not only on the school run but at all times. A wide range of child car seats is available to enable parents to select a suitable restraint for their child and vehicle.” Stressing the importance of seat belts and child restraints, Constable Bill Holden, PSNI and member of SAAPLG explained: "In a crash at just 30mph, an unrestrained child would be thrown forward with a force 30 to 60 times their body weight. "This means that they would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and quite possibly seriously injuring (or even killing) other passengers. They are also likely to be thrown out of the car through one of the windows. Our message is simple and the law is very clear. Recently introduced seatbelt legislation states: * Children under three years MUST use an appropriate child restraint in any vehicle - the only exception being when travelling in a taxi, where they must use an adult belt, if no suitable restraint is available. * In vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children from three years and up to 135cms in height or 12 years of age, MUST use the appropriate child restraint. The only exceptions are in respect of taxis, unexpected short journeys and where two fitted child restraints prevent the fitting of a third. "Police will be paying special attention close to schools in the first few weeks of term and where offences are noted, fixed penalty tickets which carry three penalty points will be issued,” he said. Constable Holden went on to warn all road users to be aware of increased numbers of young people on the streets during the morning and evening rush hours. "Motorists who have enjoyed reduced traffic flows and shorter journey times over the summer holidays should now be prepared to allow extra time for their journeys, and more vehicles on the roads. "It will also be important for all road users to be vigilant for children on bicycles or on foot, particularly close to schools, junctions and at bus stops. "Parents should also stress to their children the need for road safety, and in particular how to cross the road safely - looking both ways without being distracted by friends, mobile phones or Mp3 players. Pupils should only cross where it is safe, and should look out for pedestrian crossings or school crossing wardens. "It is important that they cross precisely at these locations and not take the risk of crossing even a short distance away. They should also be aware that it's better to miss the bus and be late as opposed to taking their chances by running across roads to catch a bus," Constable Holden stated. Nina Daly, Accident Prevention Officer with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust added: “Parents should also note that if their children walk to school it is important for them to ‘Be Bright and Be Seen’. Reflective arm bands and other items are available to buy which enable drivers to see children walking or cycling to and from school when visibility is reduced due to dark mornings and evenings and poor weather conditions. “It is also important that young children hold a grown-up’s hand. Parents on foot need to set a good example to their children on how to cross roads and deal with traffic, teach your children the ‘green cross code’,” she said. Dr Tohani concluded: "Wearing of seat belts can prevent serious injury and death if the car is involved in a collision, I urge the driver and all occupants of the car to wear their seat belts at all times." Websites for further information on road safety for children: www.roadsafetyni.gov.uk/index/cars/newseatbeltregulations.htm www.roadsafetyni.gov.uk/index/education/kidzone/kidzone-be_safe__be_seen -Ends- For further information contact Shirlie Murtagh, Acting PR Manager on (028) 3741 4531. Notes to Editors • Statistics sourced from PSNI Statistics: Annual Statistical report No. 6. www.doeni.gov.uk/home_to_school_travel_bulletin.doc and www.roadsafetyni.gov.uk/index/education/kidzone/kidzone-be_safe__be_seen/kidzone-be_safe__be_seen-2.htm) • The law already requires drivers and adult passengers to use seatbelts provided in cars and goods vehicles. • The penalty for not using a child restraint or seat belt is a fixed penalty fine of £60 and 3 penalty points. If the case goes to court, the maximum fine is £500 for any occupant anywhere in the car. These levels of fine will be mirrored in buses and coaches where seatbelts are fitted. • www.doeni.gov.uk/seatbelt_survey-_2008-4.pdf Northern Ireland Seat Belt Survey April 2008: Wearing Rates in Cars • From May 2008, all child restraints must comply with the UN ECE 44.03 standard or subsequent versions. |