Children mark drive to promote road safety

Over the past decade, more than 2,000 children aged under 15 have been run over in the city, and six of these children died. Throughout this week children will be working with officers from the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership to find out how speed cameras work, watch the police stop speeding drivers and also learn how to cross the road safely.

Coun Paul Scriven, leader of Sheffield Council, said: "The numbers speak for themselves. Drivers who drive above the speed limit are one of the biggest causes of deaths and injuries to children.

"We want to keep everybody in this city safe on our roads. Slowing down is the single most important thing that drivers can do. The slower you drive the more chance you have to react to the unexpected.

"Road Safety Week isn't about telling off drivers, it's about raising awareness and remembering those who may have lost their loved ones. If everyone does their bit we can make Sheffield a safer place."

When hit at 20mph, 95 per cent of pedestrians live, but this decreases to 45 per cent if they are hit by a vehicle travelling at 30mph.

Chief Inspector Stuart Walne, head of roads policing at South Yorkshire Police, said: "We do a lot of work to support the families of victims of road traffic accidents through our team of family liaison officers, who provide invaluable support to bereaved families.

"This time of year we remember the loved ones who are lost as well as raising awareness to keep others safe on the roads."

Coun Scriven added: "Children's overwhelming message is a simple one – if we want to improve the safety and quality of life of kids using roads in our communities, we need to slow down.

"That is why we have given powers to local councillors to see if they wish to bring in 20mph zones on side streets in their area."