Old estates 'cause high death toll'

Poorer children often walk more because they do not have a car

Old inner city housing estates are the reason why more poorer children are involved in road accidents, new research has claimed.

Youngsters from deprived areas are five times more likely to be killed as pedestrians than their richer counterparts, according to the findings.

The Guild of Experienced Motorists, (GEM) found the high death toll has much to do with the type of environment poor children live in.

Dr Nicola Christie, from the University of Surrey Postgraduate Medical School, writing for the guild, said layouts of old urban housing estates were dangerous.

Many children are injured in traffic accidents when they are using the street for recreation because it is often the only place to play Dr Nicola Christie

She said: "Older residential areas often have long straight roads that meet at right angles, encouraging motorists to drive at inappropriate speeds.

"Modern estates have a capillary of cul-de-sacs that are self-calming and safer.

"Mature estates and road networks were built before the advent of mass car ownerships - so there is also the hazard of on-street parking."

Dr Christie also said children form deprived families were more at risk because they may not have a car and spend more time walking.

She said: "They are also more likely to play or hang out in the streets.

"Many children are injured in traffic accidents when they are using the street for recreation because it is often the only place to play."

Most children are not injured on the school journey but when they got home, the research has shown

Dr Christie said authorities need to provide more facilities and play schemes with accessible transport.