Child Brain Injury Trust GloWeek 2024 – Road Safety Campaign 

It’s that time of year again when the clocks go back, the nights draw in and we all try to adjust to the shorter days. Wouldn’t it be great if we could hibernate until Spring!

Despite the shorter days, life must go on however during this time of year children are particularly vulnerable. Typically between the months of October to January there is an increased number of road traffic collisions involving children.  

Sadly, as a Solicitor supporting children that have suffered brain injuries, over the years I have seen all too often the devastation caused when a child is seriously injured in a road traffic collision. Every 30 minutes in the UK a child or young person will acquire a brain injury and 39% of these will be the result of a road traffic collision. I am therefore passionate about promoting road safety awareness.  

Today marks the start of the annual Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT) GloWeek campaign. Every year CBIT raise awareness around the increased risk to children and young people on our roads during these darker months. The aim of the road safety campaign is centred around children “being seen, not hurt.” The campaign encourages children to wear bright colours during this time of year and encourages adults to make a simple but important pledge – have a conversation with a child or young person about the importance of road safety and the importance of being bright and seen when out and about.

To help raise awareness about road safety, I am sharing some tips about how to keep children safe on our roads:-

  1. Visibility is key – it is so important for children to be seen during these shorter days. School uniforms are typically dark in colour and often children are required to have dark coats and school bags conducive to the school uniform colours. Where possible, children should be encouraged to wear high-visibility jackets over their coats or attach reflective strips to their coats and bags. Children are safer if they are visible!
  2. It’s never too early to start talking to children about road safety. When a child first starts walking, talk to them about why they must always hold your hand or the hand of a grown up.
  3. Introduce the Stop (before stepping off the pavement) Look (in all directions) Listen (for traffic that may be approaching from out of sight) and Think (about whether it is safe to cross) sequence as early on as possible.
  4. Children should walk on the inside of the pavement furthest away from the traffic. 
  5. Always set a good example by choosing a safe place to cross and explain what you are doing. 
  6. Explain why it is safest to cross at a pedestrian crossing or a crossing patrol. 
  7. Look out for and encourage children to be aware of hidden entrances or driveways. Many accidents occur as people reverse out of their driveways as it can be difficult for them to see small children.
  8. If a child travels on their own, encourage them to take the safest and best-lit routes and to avoid dark shortcuts. 
  9. Older children should be encouraged to retain a sense of awareness and discouraged from distractions, such as phones or headphones, when walking or cycling. They need to be aware of their surroundings. 
  10. Make road safety fun and interactive – it doesn’t have to be a boring. For example children enjoy pressing the button and waiting for the green man to appear at the crossing or counting the number of red and green lights. Interactive learning helps reinforce good habits and children are more inclined to remember what they have been taught if it is fun and interactive. 

When a child suffers an injury as a result of a road traffic collision, it can have devasting consequences not only for the child but also for their family. CBIT helps families working with children and young people who find themselves in need of help and support. At Moore Barlow we are passionate about promoting road safety and supporting the CBIT GloWeek campaign. 

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How Moore Barlow can help

Fadwa Errhioui is a Partner and Solicitor in the Moore Barlow Personal injury team, supporting children who have suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of an incident to access early rehabilitation, secure interim payments and recover compensation to help rebuild lives. Our Personal injury lawyers can be contacted on Freephone 0800 157 7611 or claim@moorebarlow.com