Accident Prevention Week 2020 focuses on pedestrian road safety

This week (17 – 21 August 2020) it is Accident Prevention Week, a major road safety campaign organised by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), a not-for-profit organisation for injured people.

This year’s campaign is focusing on pedestrian road safety, a topic which is particularly important as children in England and Wales prepare to return to school in the coming weeks.

In a survey by YouGov, commissioned for Injury Prevention Week, almost two-thirds of parents did not think their children had a good understanding of the dangers of roads or concentrate when they are near roads.

This is despite the fact the Highway Code states that children should not be allowed out alone until they can understand and use the Green Cross Code properly.

Road safety campaigners are urging parents to help children learn the Green Cross Code “as they would their spellings or times tables”.

Sam Elsby, president of APIL, said: “I urge parents to be proactive this Injury Prevention Week. Support children in their knowledge and understanding as it is their best tool for avoiding harm on the roads. Test your children this week on crossing between parked cars and on bends. And ask them if they know to look out for reverse lights so they know if a car is about to move backwards.”

Kim Chamberlain, Director of Novum Law and a specialist serious personal injury solicitor, commented: “Unfortunately, every day, we see the tragic consequences of road traffic accidents and the devastating impact on individuals and their families. Often these accidents are completely avoidable.

“Educating our young about the importance of road safety and the Green Cross Code is vital to avoid lives being lost. This is particularly important as we prepare for the return to school after lockdown with many children walking to school without a parent or guardian for the first time in months.

“Injury Prevention Week is a crucial reminder that we all need to do our bit to improve road safety and this includes educating our children and giving them the advice, they need to stay safe when crossing the road.”

If you or a loved one has been injured in a road traffic accident that was someone else’s fault, Novum Law’s specialist personal injury solicitors can help.

Contact us today for expert legal advice on making a no win no fee claim. Call Freephone 0800 884 0777 or email info@novumlaw.com.