Skip to main content

Survey finds one third of parents witness near misses outside schools

A detailed survey carried out by international tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, road charity Brake and internet-based market research firm YouGov has revealed that a third of primary school parents have witnessed near misses outside the school gates. More than half of parents are also worried about their child’s safety near roads on the school run, as autumn arrives and the nights get darker. The survey also revealed that: Two thirds see 4-11 year olds crossing the road without holding the hand of an a
October 8, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
A detailed survey carried out by international tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, road charity 4235 Brake and internet-based market research firm YouGov has revealed that a third of primary school parents  have witnessed near misses outside the school gates.

More than half of parents are also worried about their child’s safety near roads on the school run, as autumn arrives and the nights get darker.

The survey also revealed that: Two thirds see 4-11 year olds crossing the road without holding the hand of an adult; 17 per cent of school run drivers admit to parking illegally, not in designated areas; One quarter state they are more likely to drive their children to school in autumn/winter; and over three quarters of these are more likely to drive their child to school in bad weather.

Bridgestone and Brake are asking drivers to take care when driving near schools, slowing right down to 20mph or lower to give children a chance and reduce the near misses.

Bridgestone’s managing director John McNaught said: “With the days becoming shorter and weather conditions expected to become more challenging for drivers, now is ideal time to launch an awareness campaign.

“We commissioned research from YouGov, questioning 1,000 primary school parents, in an attempt to reinforce our safety messages. The findings certainly backed up our initial fears about road safety on the school run and we are glad to be partnering with Brake to raise awareness.”

Sarah-Jane Martin, spokesperson from Brake, said: “These are shocking figures, showing just how risky the journey to school can be for kids and parents. We’re asking all drivers to slow down and take care, especially around homes, schools and shops. We need to make sure our kids and people of all ages – not just the lucky few – can walk and cycle without being endangered.”

Related Content

  • December 20, 2016
    Ministers to urge use of ‘drive safe’ modes for mobile phones
    An informal meeting in Whitehall is due to take place early in 2017, according to the Guardian, in which ministers and officials will tell mobile companies that ‘drive safe’ modes, similar to the airplane mode that has become standard, must be included in basic software ahead of a broader crackdown on illegal mobile phone use on the roads. In spring 2017, the fixed penalty for using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free device will double to US$248 (£200). The fixed penalty notice will increa
  • August 5, 2016
    Urgent action needed as drink-drive figures stall, says Brake
    UK road safety charity Brake is calling on the government to take urgent action after figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) show little change in the number of people killed because of drink-driving. Government figures reveal that the number of deaths involving a driver under the influence of alcohol was 240 in 2014. That figure has been consistently been reported since 2010 and looks set to continue if the provisional estimate for the 2015 figures proves to be accurate (200-290 killed).
  • June 15, 2017
    Increase in Scotland’s road deaths ‘deeply troubling’, says Brake
    Transport Scotland has released provisional headline figures for road casualties reported to the police in Scotland in 2016, showing 191 people were killed in reported accidents in 2016 - 23 more than in 2015.
  • November 20, 2013
    Automated enforcement tames speeders in Chicago’s Children’s Safety Zones
    Chicago is installing automated enforcement after pilot schemes indicated that one in 10 motorists exceed the speed limits in Children’s Safety Zones. Each year in Chicago there are around 3,000 incidents of pedestrians being struck by a motor vehicle - and about 800 of those casualties are children. In an effort to improve child safety the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has established Children’s Safety Zones around schools and other areas where children congregate. These zones allow the impos