The amount of literature focusing on road safety interventions for children living in rural areas in the UK is limited. Rural roads in this review are those with a speed limit exceeding 40mph. The majority of accidents to children in rural areas occurred while they were car passengers. Danger spots for child pedestrians and cyclists were at T, Y or staggered junctions. Children tended to walk with their backs to the traffic and cyclists were at some risk near driveways. The scatter of accidents is wide, making remedial interventions more difficult. Improving the responsibility of drivers with child passengers is considered worthwhile to reduce rural child accidents. Engineering measures that reduce the speed of drivers approaching bends are suggested. Policies to increase cycling and walking in rural areas are outlined, including cycle tracks, local transport plans, safety cameras and vehicle activated warning signs. No evidence of local authority policies or interventions targeted at child road safety in rural areas was found. Ongoing initiatives are described.
Abstract