Back to school: Ensuring child safety while crossing roads
As summer fades and the new school year begins, the excitement of seeing friends and returning to the classroom often overshadows awareness of hazards and dangers on the school run.
For many children, the journey to school involves crossing busy streets, and this routine task can pose significant risks. As a personal injury solicitor, I’ve seen the consequences of collisions involving pedestrian children. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of road safety, particularly during the school year.
On average, six children are killed or seriously injured on roads in Britain every day. That’s equivalent to a whole class of children every single week.
The heightened risk of collisions in September
September marks a period of transition, not just for students but for drivers as well. After a few months of lighter traffic, motorists may not be as vigilant as they should be, particularly in school zones and residential areas.
The influx of school buses, more frequent stops, and an increased number of children walking or cycling to school means the likelihood of crashes can spike during this time.
Children are particularly vulnerable as pedestrians for several reasons. They are smaller and harder to see, especially for drivers who may be distracted or not fully attuned to the presence of schoolchildren.
Moreover, children’s understanding of traffic rules and their ability to judge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles are not as developed as adults’. These factors can lead to tragic outcomes if proper precautions are not taken.
Legal implications of collisions involving young pedestrians
When a child is involved in a crash as a pedestrian, the physical injuries can be catastrophic and life changing. The consequences will also extend beyond the physical wounds; the emotional trauma can be profound, affecting the child and their family for years afterwards.
As a personal injury solicitor, my role is to help families navigate the legal landscape after such incidents, ensuring they receive the compensation they need for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and the long-term impact on the child’s life.
In many cases, crashes involving children occur due to driver negligence. This can include driving too fast in school zones, passing school buses at speed, or failing to stop for children on crossings.
Distracted drivers are another significant factor, with drivers more focused on their plan for the day or the passengers in their own vehicle, instead of the road ahead.
When negligence is the cause, it is crucial the responsible party is held accountable.
In personal injury claims involving children, the legal system recognises minors lack the capacity to fully understand or manage the complexities of litigation. As a result, children require what’s known as a ‘litigation friend’ to act on their behalf throughout the legal process.
A litigation friend, often a parent or guardian, is appointed to ensure the child’s best interests are represented. This individual will work closely with the child’s legal team to help progress the claim.
Proactive steps for parents and guardians
Whilst making a personal injury claim can provide a remedy after a crash, prevention is always the best course of action.
Parents and guardians play a critical role in educating their children about road safety and reinforcing safe behaviours.
- Teach the basics early: Even before children start school, they should be taught basic pedestrian safety rules. This includes looking both ways before crossing the road, understanding the meaning of traffic signals, and using crossings.
- Walk the route together: For younger children, walking the route to school together can be an invaluable safety measure. Parents can point out potential hazards, demonstrate safe crossing practices, and establish a routine the child can follow.
- Visibility is key: Children should be dressed in bright, visible clothing, particularly during the darker mornings of early autumn. Reflective gear or accessories can also enhance visibility for drivers.
- Set a good example: Children often mimic the behaviour of adults, so it’s important for parents to model good pedestrian habits, such as looking carefully, staying on pavements, and always using designated crossings where available.
The role of schools and local authorities
Schools and local authorities also have a responsibility to ensure children’s safety.
School zones should be clearly marked, with speed limits strictly enforced.
Crossing supervisors at busy junctions can provide an additional layer of protection, helping children cross roads safely during peak times.
Community education programmes can also be effective, raising awareness among drivers about the increased presence of children and the importance of staying alert. Many communities are now implementing traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps, speed cameras and increased signage, to protect school zones.
Brake, the road safety charity, promote an annual ‘Beep Beep! Day’ run by schools, nurseries, playgroups and childminders to teach important road safety basics to very young children, aged two to seven.
The charity also encourages communities to get involved with an annual ‘Kid’s Walk’ for children aged four to 11. Every year, thousands of primary school children take part to learn important road safety messages and raise awareness of their right to make safe and healthy journeys.
Holding negligent parties accountable
Despite the best precautions, collisions can and do happen. When they do, it’s crucial for the affected families to understand their rights. As a personal injury solicitor, I work closely with families to ensure if a child is injured due to driver negligence, they receive the justice they deserve.
This process involves a thorough investigation of the incident, gathering evidence such as witness statements, CCTV footage, and police reports. We work to demonstrate how the driver’s actions were the direct cause of the collision. Our goal is to achieve maximum compensation for the injured child’s pain and suffering, medical expenses, long-term care needs and any other losses.
Final comments
The beginning of the school year should be a time of excitement and new opportunities for children, not a period marred by tragedy.
By working together, parents, schools and local authorities can help ensure the journey to school is as safe as possible.
For those families who do face the unimaginable, know that legal help is available to guide you through the aftermath and fight for your child’s rights.
