During the period 1955-71 Denmark had the highest rate of child mortality due to road accidents in Western Europe. To tackle the problem a new Road Traffic Act was implemented, compulsory road safety lessons were introduced and research into children in traffic initiated. Initiatives were carried out by individual cities such as the 'Safe Routes to School' project in Odense described here. A study of 5800 children between the ages of 9 and 15 was carried out. Information was obtained on journeys to and from school and social activities with added information on locations considered by parents and teachers to be dangerous. Proposals to improve the traffic environment for the children were worked out and sent for comment to the schools. 100000 is earmarked annually for improvements which include slow-speed areas, road narrowings, traffic islands, new foot and cycle paths and road closures. The results obtained from each type of measure are discussed and include an 85% reduction in accidents in slow-speed areas. Some measures did not reduce the few accidents there were, but crossing was easier and safer. The Nordic study, which covers Linköping, Stavanger and Kuopio as well as Odense, is mentioned. This aims to investigate various aspects of children, bicycles and traffic. The author concludes that valuable information has been obtained on attitudes to children in traffic, awareness has been raised in Odense and successful measures have been implemented.
Samenvatting