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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jonathan Geddes

Hundreds of Lanarkshire children have been killed or injured on local roads since 2016

Hundreds of Lanarkshire youngsters have been either killed or injured on local roads in recent years.

New statistics reveal the number of children involved in road accidents in Scotland from 2016 to 2020.

The figures show a decline in the number of incidents, even before the Covid pandemic, but that more than 60 children across Lanarkshire were still affected in 2020.

For North Lanarkshire, a total of 310 youngsters were killed, seriously or slightly injured in road crashes since 2016, with 38 in 2020.

For neighbouring South Lanarkshire the figures were 255 youngsters over the same period, with 36 in the last recorded year, 2020.

The numbers were revealed by the road safety charity Brake, which is organising a campaign where more than 4000 schoolchildren in Scotland will take to the streets around their schools today (Wednesday June 22) to raise awareness of the need for safer journeys,

The national figures showed that 15 children are killed or injured on Scottish roads every week.

The project run by Brake is in partnership with insurance group esure and with support from Aardman, with the film company's Shaun the Sheep character helping out on the walks.

Latest Department for Transport (DfT) figures show that 491 child road casualties were recorded in 2020 across Scotland and although that was the lowest recorded number of child road casualties for the last five years, it also reflects lower levels of traffic on the roads in response to restrictions imposed during the pandemic.

Inspector Kevin Miller, of Rutherglen police, said: "Road safety remains a policing priority particularly when driving in excess of the speed limits is one of the most common contributory factors resulting in a road traffic collision.

"We will continue to carry out regular speed checks along with mobile patrols to influence driver behaviour and reduce the number of accidents on our roads, taking enforcement action where necessary.

"I would urge all motorists to be vigilant and take extra care particularly during the summer holidays and lighter nights when children and young persons will be using the road network."

Scott Williams, head of programme delivery at Brake, said: "It’s every child’s right to be able to walk in their community without fear of traffic and pollution.

"It is vital that children can walk safely in the places where they live. We’re delighted that so many children, schools and families are taking part in Brake’s Kids Walk 2022 and shouting out for the things they need to make safe journeys."

The Brake campaign is providing schools with resources to run special road-safety-themed assemblies, lessons and fun activities, featuring Shaun the Sheep and his friends.

Resources are available to any parent, carer or teacher to download for free here.

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