AS SCHOOLS begin to break-up for the summer, motoring assistance provider Green Flag is sending out a message to motorists to take extra care as the number of children killed or injured on our roads usually peaks at this time of year.

In 2000, some 40,000 children under 16 were killed or injured on our roads, with more than 14,000 accidents happening in the summer months. Figures just released by the government for 2001, show that the number of children killed increased by an alarming 14 per cent last year.

“Road accidents are the biggest single cause of accidental death for children aged up to 15 years,” said Green Flag spokesperson Nigel Charlesworth. “They account for two-thirds of all fatal accidents and most happen close to home, on residential roads.”

According to government figures, over three-quarters (30,213) of the accidents involving the under 16 years age group occurred when they were attempting to cross the road, or were hidden from view by stationary vehicles. Studies of children involved in accidents showed that over half had crossed or ran into the road without looking out for traffic.

Statistics reveal that it is early teenagers who are most at risk of being killed or seriously injured on the roads. In 2000, while the number of children aged under nine years and those aged nine to 11 years killed or seriously injured decreased by 15 per cent on the previous year, accidents to children the 12 to 15 years age group increased by two per cent. The government is setting new casualty reduction targets for 2010, which will include more low speed limits in residential areas.

Green Flag joins forces with road safety charity Brake and other UK businesses to back Road Safety Week (September 23-29) For more information call Brake on 01484 559909 or visit www.brake.org.uk.