John Leech MP Supports Kids Road Safety Campaign as Clocks Go Back
October 28, 2007 12:00 AM
Clocks Go Back - John Leech MP Highlights Road Safety Risks for Children
MP for Manchester Withington, John Leech, joins up with Nationwide to remind children "Be Safe, Be Seen" as the clocks go back today.
The dark winter nights see our children face a much greater risk on the road. Lib Dem Shadow Transport Minister, John Leech MP said:
"Fewer children are being killed or injured on our roads each year, but we can't afford to be complacent."
"Nationwide's Cats' Eyes for Kids scheme is an excellent way to promote road safety to kids. All children in Year One will receive a reflector, which they should wear all winter. It's been proven that children wearing a reflector may be up to eight times safer than without."
John Leech MP has a keen interest in road safety and is the only Lib Dem member in the influential Transport Select Committee.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
1. In February 2007, John Leech MP introduced a ten minute Bill to reduce the default speed limit in lit urban areas from 30 mph to 20 mph
2. John Leech has introduced two parliamentary motions regarding road safety:
Early Day Motion 1995 "Novice Drivers for a more structured approach to learning to drive"; and
Early Day Motion 216 "Road Safety and the Institute of Advanced Motorists", praising its improvement of road safety
3. Over 1 million reflectors and teaching resource packs will be
distributed directly to new intake pupils through individual primary schools during October and November. More information about road safety and details about Cats' Eyes, including how to obtain extra reflectors, can be found on the Nationwide website www.nationwide.co.uk
4. A child pedestrian is visible at 30 metres with low beam headlights,
whereas a child pedestrian wearing a reflector is visible at 150 metres with low beam headlights. Pedestrian reflectors have been used successfully in Scandinavian/Nordic countries for more than 30 years. According to research, children there are eight times safer (source: Central Organisation for Traffic Safety in Finland) with a reflector than without.
5. A recent Government announcement revealed a significant fall in the
casualty rate amongst child pedestrians; down 51% compared to the average for 1994 - 1998. For more information please visit www.dft.gov.uk
6. The latest Government advice about road safety can be found at
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