HEDGEHOGS URGE CHILDREN TO 'STAY ALIVE'

18 Oct 2001 12:00 AM

FIGURES SHOW ONE IN 15 SCHOOLCHILDREN WILL BE INJURED IN A ROAD ACCIDENT BEFORE THEY ARE 17

The return of the singing and dancing TV hedgehogs and the launch of a brand new interactive games website form the centrepiece of a new Government campaign aimed at reducing child casualties.

Figures from the DTLR show that despite a 6% fall in child casualties on the roads in 2000, one in 15 schoolchildren will be injured in a road accident before they are 17, some fatally. In 2000, 191 children were killed on our roads.

Ahead of the clocks going back one hour on October 27, the campaign aims to remind children to be highly visible at all times when using roads - that means wearing fluorescent clothing by day, and reflective clothing at night. There will be a re-run of the ''Be Safe, Be Seen'' TV advertisement featuring the highly popular road safety hedgehog characters singing an adapted version of the 1970''s hit ''Stayin'' Alive''.

This will be accompanied by the launch of a new interactive games website. The site www.hedgehogs.gov.uk features several exciting games for children aged 5 plus. The aim is to enable children to improve their road awareness and learn essential road safety skills while having fun.

Transport Minister David Jamieson said:

''Of course we are pleased there has been a reduction in child casualties on our roads over the past year. But every child killed or injured is one too many. With the launch of the advertising campaign and the new hedgehogs website, we are aiming to build on the good work that has already been done in increasing road awareness amongst children.''

For teachers, a website of primary school teaching resources based on child road safety is also being launched at www.schools.dtlr.gov.uk/primary . This site provides teachers with lesson plans and worksheets for Key Stage 1 in numeracy, personal, social and health education (PSHE) and science. For Key Stage 2, literacy is added to these subjects. Written by educational professionals, they are designed to meet curriculum targets in each subject.

Mr Jamieson added:

''The teaching resources should also provide teachers with an interesting and informative medium through which to introduce road safety messages into the classroom.''

The Director of Child Accident Prevention Trust, Katrina Phillips, said:

''As children grow up and become more independent, the risk of them being injured or killed on the road increases. We very much welcome the Department''s campaign to remind children about the importance of being seen while out and about, especially during dark winter evenings. We also welcome the launch of the two new websites to help get these vital safety messages across.''

Last year 39,715 children were injured on our roads. Of these, 34,513 were slightly injured, 5,011 were seriously injured and 191 were killed. Although this represents a fall of 5 per cent, 9 per cent and 14 per cent respectively on the previous year, there is still much to be done to reach Government targets set out in 2000 for a 50 per cent reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured on the roads by 2010.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The ''Be Safe, Be Seen'' advertisement encouraging children to wear fluorescent or reflective clothing will be shown from 20-29 October on primetime children''s TV slots.

Although Britain has one of the best road safety records in Europe - and the world - the Government is committed to further reducing deaths and injuries on our roads.

Road deaths per 100,000 population 1999 (source: Road Accidents Great Britain:2000)

Great Britain 5.9 France 14.4 Germany 9.5 Netherlands 6.9 Sweden 6.6 USA 15.3

Recent information on road casualties is available in Road Accidents Great Britain: 2000 (published 20 September 2001).

The Highway Code recommends that pedestrians and cyclists wear reflective clothing which ''can be seen by drivers using headlights up to three times as far away as non reflective material''. Scotchlite reflective trims are now incorporated into children''s fashion and accessory ranges by most top high street stores.

Copies of a junior Highway Code, ''Arrive Alive'', can be obtained free of charge by calling 0870 1226 236.

Road safety tips from Child Accident Prevention Trust:

- wear something fluorescent in daylight - wear light coloured clothing and something reflective in the dark - use reflective strips on clothing, school bags and other equipment - try to use routes that are well lit by street lights - cross roads at the safest and most well lit place you can find - cross at marked places like zebra, pelican or patrolled crossings where possible - always use the Green Cross Code - remember, drivers may find it harder to see you in the dark

Lyrics for the advertisement are:

Especially in the night-time It''ll be the right time To be staying alive Staying alive If you''re out at night Make sure you are bright And we''re staying alive Staying alive Ah ah ah ah staying ali-i-i-i-i-ve

The hedgehogs'' website of online road safety games is available at www.hedgehogs.gov.uk

Road safety lesson plans for teachers are available at www.schools.dtlr.gov.uk/primary

Public Enquiries Unit: 020 7944 3000; Press Notices available via DTLR website: http://www.dtlr.gov.uk