Are your road safety habits putting your children at risk?

Parents are being reminded: kids do as you do, not as you say, as part of a new THINK! road safety campaign aimed at driving down child road casualties, launched by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick who commented:

"Last year around 11,500 children aged four to 11 years were killed or injured on Britain's roads. Child casualties have dropped markedly in recent years, but still too many children are being killed or hurt on our roads.

"We can all fall into bad habits, but it's important parents realise it's no good teaching kids good road safety techniques if you don't follow them. If parents are crossing the road when the red man is showing, or not using seat-belts, then their children will copy them."

As part of the campaign, child psychologist Ruth Coppard will be on hand at a special training day to explain to parents how their behaviour influences that of their children.

The training day will help parents understand the dangers that their children face on the roads and parents will also be invited to see the road from a child's point of view by using a "giant" version of a zebra crossing, surrounded by over-sized cars and amplified street noise.

For further information on the CopyCat campaign and road safety advice and tips for parents please log on to www.dft.go.uk/think