John Leech MP reminds children to be safe and be seen on winter roads

7.58.28pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 28th Oct 2006

Withington MP John Leech urges local kids to wear these free reflectors when walking in winter

As the clocks go back tonight and the evenings become longer, John Leech MP is reminding South Manchester residents, especially children and parents, of the importance of being safe and being seen on the winter roads.

John Leech MP, who is a Lib Dem transport spokesperson in Parliament, said:

"With the return of long winter nights, our children face greater risks on our roads and it's even more important to remember the importance of basic road safety and the message "Be Safe, Be Seen". The number of children killed or injured on our roads is coming down each year, but we can't afford to be complacent.

"My top tips this winter for being safe on the roads are:

· In the bad weather, make sure that drivers can see you by wearing bright or fluorescent clothing.

· Always wear something reflective when out in the dark evenings.

· Make sure you find a safe place to cross the road and always remember to stop, look and listen.

· If you're out at night, choose routes that are well-lit by streetlights and cross the road at well-lit places.

"Children in Year One will once again all be receiving reflectors through Nationwide Building Society's Cats' Eyes for Kids scheme and should wear them all winter - children wearing a reflector may be up to eight times safer than without."

Charles Reed, Customer Service & Communications Director at Nationwide, said:

"With the return of long winter nights, our children face greater risks on our roads. For the sixth year, we're delighted to support the government's successful campaign to reduce the number of child casualties. We are also encouraging children who have received reflectors in the past five years to use them again this winter."

"As a building society, Nationwide has a long tradition of active involvement in communities throughout the UK and there can be no better way of investing in these communities than by protecting the lives of children."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Over 1 million reflectors and teaching resource packs will be distributed directly to new intake pupils through individual primary schools during October and November. More information about road safety and details about Cats' Eyes, including how to obtain extra reflectors, can be found on the Nationwide website www.nationwide.co.uk

2. A child pedestrian is visible at 30 metres with low beam headlights, whereas a child pedestrian wearing a reflector is visible at 150 metres with low beam headlights. Pedestrian reflectors have been used successfully in Scandinavian/Nordic countries for more than 30 years. According to research, children there are eight times safer (source: Central Organisation for Traffic Safety in Finland) with a reflector than without.

3. Road Casualties Great Britain 2005 - figures are published annually and information can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/page/dft_transstats_612587.hcsp

4. The latest Government advice about road safety can be found at www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk