Campaigners are calling for new road safety initiatives as millions of children return to school to face busy post lockdown traffic. Many parents are concerned that children have become unaccustomed to crossing busy roads after 18 months of COVID restrictions and worry that the new school year could also see an increase in rush hour traffic. A campaign has now been launched by StressFreeCarRental.com calling on the Government to provide crucial road safety education to children across the UK as schools open their doors.  The proposed initiative will look to provide younger children who may have missed the opportunity, or even forgotten vital road safety information during the lockdown, the chance to learn lifesaving information. A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “There is a whole generation of children out there who have never known what it’s like to cross a busy road at rush hour due to COVID. “We want to make sure they are equipped to get themselves to and from school safely and without harm.” There is now an increased pressure on the government to back the campaign in an effort to help protect children up and down the country. A special focus has been placed on the importance of children remaining vigilant when crossing the road during busy periods before and after school. Children are being encouraged to walk with friends wherever possible and to never cross the road whilst using a mobile phone or with headphones in. The campaign also seeks to spread awareness of the importance of safe and careful driving for those returning to the school run, as well as their daily commute. Motorists should seek to avoid peak times and remember to watch their speed around schools, shops, and other built-up areas. StressFreeCarRental.com also identified the scarcity of lollipop people across the UK and has called for more to be recruited urgently to protect children on the journey to and from school. The swift budget cuts across British councils in recent years have caused a steady decline in the number of lollipop men and women and this has been criticised by campaigners. A spokesman for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “There has been a noticeable decline in the number of lollipop men and women over the past ten years. “They are essential to providing a safe experience to the younger generation and they still act as great role models for children in today’s society. “So we are calling on the government to do more to ensure children across the UK can return to school safely and to minimise the risks of a tragedy on the school run.” |
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.