Child injuries 'worst in Europe'

Many children feel scared crossing the road, the survey will show

Northern Ireland has the worst record in western Europe for child pedestrian deaths and injuries, figures have shown.

Eighty-nine children were killed or injured in a crash while on foot in the province last year.

The figures were revealed at the beginning of national Road Safety Week on Tuesday organised by the road safety charity, Brake.

Its theme this year is 'Save the life of a child on foot - slow down in town' and involves more than 11,000 schools and nurseries nationwide.

More than half of drivers - 59% - still break 30mph limits in urban areas, according to statistics released by the Department for Transport in June.

Brake will also reveal statistics from a survey of Northern Ireland's children about their safety on roads.

It will show that children think the roads outside their school and home are dangerous, drivers should slow down and there is an urgent need for more safe places to cross.

'Biggest killer'

Many are scared when on foot, and almost half have been near or actually hit by a vehicle when on foot.

Most children know someone in their community who has been killed or hurt in a crash, and feel more speed cameras and traffic police would help them feel safer.

Brake chief executive Mary Williams said: "These survey findings are bad news for parents, who all want safe and happy children, particularly in Northern Ireland which has the worst record in western Europe of children killed on foot and the biggest killer of children on foot is speed.

"It is up to all drivers - many of whom are parents as well - to slow down in town, to prevent families and lives being wrecked for ever."

As well as drivers being educated during Road Safety Week, action is being taken to educate Northern Ireland's children.

Andy Clement, acting senior road safety education officer in Belfast, said: "The education of children and drivers about road safety is paramount to the reduction in the current number of fatalities and serious injuries.

"All the Department of the Environment Road Safety Education Officers liaise directly with schools to promote Road Safety through education, training and publicity.

"The road safety education officer service within Northern Ireland also works on a daily basis with organisations such as PSNI, DRD Roads Service, hospitals, community organisations, the general public and other road safety bodies."