This paper discusses the risks to children on UK roads and suggests some areas for action. There are clear differences in the type of child at risk: boys more so than girls, children from low-income groups more than from high-income groups, ethnic minority children more than white. Britain's children spend more time close to major roads than other European children. Urban areas present a particular problem, and the school journey is an especial source of risk. Areas for action are gender-specific education targeted at high-risk ages; understanding activity patterns of children; increasing effective use of child restraints in cars; manufacture of better child restraints; education of teenage car passengers; safer vehicle design; and research into child exposure to risk.
Abstract