Pupils join nationwide walk in campaign for safer roads

PUPILS from schools in Leeds were among many throughout the country marching from their school gates yesterday to call for safer roads for children.

They were appealing to local drivers to slow down to 20mph or below in built-up areas to protect children on foot.

Children from Middleton Primary School, in Middleton, and Cottingley Primary School joined tens of thousands more across the UK taking part in the Giant Walking Bus, co-ordinated by Yorkshire road safety charity Brake.

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The event aimed to raise awareness of the number of children killed and hurt on roads, to help schools teach children about road safety, and to appeal to drivers to slow down.

Each year 1,041 children are hurt while on foot on Yorkshire and the Humber’s roads.

Brake is calling on drivers to drive at 20mph or below in communities and for widespread 20mph limits in built-up areas.

Julie Townsend of Brake said: “Brake supports families whose children have been killed or maimed on roads – so we know the terrible devastation these tragedies cause.

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“Yet many could be prevented by drivers taking the simple step of slowing down in communities. At 20mph or lower, you stand a good chance of stopping in time if a child runs out three car lengths ahead.”