Young People Under 16
Over 2,134 young people under the age of 16 were killed or injured on London's roads last year.
Over 1,200 of these were pedestrians.
To help educate this vulnerable age group there are many clubs, projects, campaigns and training schemes available.
Junior EcoSTARS
Each year 2-4 pupils in Year 6 of each Junior and Primary school across the borough become Junior EcoSTARS (Sustainable Travel and Road Safety). They help to promote road safety to their fellow pupils by way of distributing newsletters and posters, and running assemblies and competitions with the support of the Council's Smarter Travel Team.The scheme runs along-side the successful Junior Road Safety Officer Scheme that first began in Kingston over 10 years ago and which is endorsed by Transport for London.
School Crossing Patrols
We are responsible for the School Crossing Patrol service. Our staff contribute greatly to children's road safety and gives parents the confidence to allow their children to walk to school. However, there have been reports of drivers failing to obey the School Crossing Patrol Stop sign. Failure to stop can result in the driver being issued with a £1000 fine and three penalty points on their licence – or even disqualification from driving.
Entrance Banners
School entrance banners are designed specifically to reduce the danger associated with traffic congestion caused by parking around school entrances. The banners were developed in collaboration with schools in the Borough, which were invited to put forward ideas regarding suitable messages and artwork. Congestion is a particular problem at school entrances, where children are being dropped off at the start of school and picked up at the end of the day. It is hoped that the positive messages will encourage parents to park in more appropriate areas away from school entrances - or, ideally, to leave the car at home and walk or cycle instead.
Junior Citizen
The aim of the Junior Citizen Scheme is to promote junior citizenship and to help support children in their transition from primary to secondary education. The scheme aims to provide them with the ability to deal with real life situations.
Each year the scheme runs for a two week period in January for Year 6 pupils. The road safety subject within the scheme looks at distractions, high viz clothing at night time, as well as cycle safety.
The scheme is supported by community agencies and the Metropolitan Police and Fire Rescue Service.
Car Seats
Did you know a cars seatbelts are designed for people above 150cms? And that 2 out of 3 seats is fitted incorrectly? Child restraints are the only safe way to protect children when they travel in vehicles. Children need to use baby seats, child seats, booster seats, or booster cushions which conform to the European Standard.
Make sure all children are restrained in the right seat for their age. Just putting a child seat in your car isn't enough to keep your child safe. Your child could be injured, even during a slow speed accident, if their seat is fitted incorrectly.
The fit safe, sit safe scheme offers free and unbiased advice from trained staff, no matter what car or child seat you have. Please download our factsheet with all our road safety initiatives and campaigns for details of the nearest fit safe, sit safe outlet.
Children’s Traffic Club
The Children’s Traffic Club is a road safety education scheme for three to four and a half year olds. It helps parents teach their children basic road safety skills at an early age. Membership of the club is offered free of charge by Transport for London to children living in Greater London.
Role Play Equipment
We have several sets of road safety play equipment that can be leant out to nurseries and play groups to help young children learn the importance of being safe on and near the roads.
For further information, please download our factsheet with all our road safety initiatives and campaigns
Contact us:
For further information about our Road Safety activities and initiatives, please contact:
The Smarter Travel Team
Tel: 020 8547 5002
Email: smartertravel@rbk.kingston.gov.uk