Research by Brake has found that one in ten children has been knocked down by a car while walking or riding a bike.
The research was carried out as part of Road Safety Week and asked 15,531 children aged 9-13 years old a group of questions regarding road safety.56 per cent of children asked admitted to a near miss with a car but perhaps more overwhelming was that 86 per cent of children believed motorists drove too fast.The UK has the second lowest road death rate in Europe, but in 2009 195 under 18 year olds were killed and a further 4,188 were seriously injured on UK roads.The findings accompany an upcoming campaign from Brake to reduce the 30mph speed limit to 20mph. Brake will present the findings in a presentation at Downing Street during Road Safety Week.Julie Townsend, campaigns director for Brake, said: “For a society that places so much importance on the safety and wellbeing of our children, it is shocking and unacceptable that so many children die and suffer appalling injuries on our roads.“Road safety professionals and emergency services know only too well the vital importance of drivers slowing down to 20mph around schools and homes to protect children".