Road safety campaign launched to safeguard young people during winter months

A road safety campaign is aiming to safeguard young people after the latest figures revealed that 58 per cent of serious and fatal road collisions involving 11 to 17 year olds occurred during the winter months.

A road safety campaign has been launched to safeguard young people after figures revealed that more than half of serious and fatal road collisions involving 11 to 17-year-olds occurred during the winter months – with many simply down to a failure to look properly.

Durham Constabulary has teamed up with campaign group, Road Safety GB North East (RSGB NE), on the campaign with the help of students from the region and fire services in an effort to reduce the number of young pedestrians and cyclists being hurt and killed on the roads.

During the last five years, two-thirds of collisions involving young pedestrians were at least partially caused by their failure to look before stepping out.

However, failing to look properly also featured prominently in child cyclist injuries as well but this was often due to the motorist failing to see the young person on their bike.

Drivers are being urged to slow down and stay alert for more vulnerable road users whilst young people to stop before stepping out and to be more visible by wearing something bright or reflective during the dark nights.

During the five-year period from 2019 to 2023, 1,141 young pedestrians and cyclists aged 11 to 17 were injured on North East roads. Of them, six were killed and 286 were left with serious injuries.

Boys accounted for two-thirds of the total casualties, increasing to 72 per cent of serious injuries and 83 per cent of fatalities. The most high-risk group is 13-year-old boys.

Peter Slater, chairman of RSGB NE, said: “We are urging young people to ‘stay bright’ during the winter months so they are visible, and to stop and look before stepping out.

“We are asking parents to talk to their children and teenagers about the risks when they are out and about with their friends. A failure to look by young pedestrians and cyclists, and distraction from friends or mobile phones, are an increasing risk, but they can be easily avoided.

“We are asking all pedestrians and cyclists to pay attention, take out their earbuds and make sure they look both ways before crossing. However, drivers need to slow down and stay below the limit, particularly in built-up areas and near schools. Keeping young people safe is everyone’s responsibility.”

The figures showed 11 to 13-year-old boys and 11-year-old girls see the highest pedestrian injury numbers, and 15-year-old boys the highest cyclist injury numbers of all ages in the region. 

Student Keiran Beattie-Lewis, 17, said: “Staying safe on the roads is so important; a single mistake can cost you your future. When you’re out at night, it’s even harder for drivers to see you, so it’s up to you to make sure you’re visible. Remember, be bright, be seen, and stay safe on the roads at night.”

Student Lily Richardson Vipan, 18, said: “I wanted to get involved in this campaign because I’m at the age where I’m learning to drive, and now I’m becoming more aware of everything around me when out at night. It’s important that everyone takes their time and is prepared. We can all make it a safer place.”

Strategic Roads Policing Inspector Andy Howarth, at Durham Constabulary, added: “County Durham and Darlington are largely rural areas and not everywhere has street lighting. At this time of year, drivers are encouraged to be extra cautious in the evenings and pedestrians can maximise their safety by wearing something bright to attract the attention of drivers when out and about.”