ROAD SAFETY WEEK What is it Road Safety

ROAD SAFETY WEEK

What is it? • Road Safety Week is the UK’s biggest road safety event. People all around the country get involved to learn and spread the word about road safety. • What’s not to like about keeping us all safe?

Awareness • Traffic is dangerous and can hurt us. • 5 people are killed in road crashes every day. • People hurt by traffic can suffer life changing injuries. • People who use their mobile phones whilst crossing the roads are more likely to be hurt. • We can’t control what the driver is doing but we can do things to keep ourselves safe.

Behaviour • There are rules you can follow to stay safe. Always remember that paths and pavements are for people but roads are for traffic. Why should we never run into the road to chase a ball?

Rules to Keep Ourselves Safe • Use the Green Cross Code to cross the road safely. Do you know the Green Cross Code?

The Green Cross Code 1. Think about where is safest to cross. • Make sure there is enough space to get onto the pavement on the other side, as pavements can be busy places. • It is safest to cross where you can clearly see in all directions and where drivers and cyclists can spot you. Why might it be dangerous to cross between parked cars, near the top of a hill and on sharp bends?

The Green Cross Code – Finding a Safe Place to Cross • Where you can, try to cross the road using a zebra crossing, pelican crossing, an underpass, a footbridge or with the help of a lollipop person. Zebra Crossing Pelican Crossing Lollipop Person No traffic lights but black and white stripes on the road and beacons. With traffic lights and a green man. A person you might see near to your school who can help you to cross the road safely. What does the red man mean? Footbridge Underpass A path which goes over the road. A path which goes under the road.

The Green Cross Code 2. Stop before you get to the kerb. • Remember not to get too close to the traffic.

The Green Cross Code 3. Look in all directions for traffic and listen. • Listening is important because you can sometimes hear traffic before you can see it.

The Green Cross Code 4. Wait until it is safe to cross. • Let traffic pass. Remember that a car or bike may look a long way away but it may be travelling very quickly.

The Green Cross Code 5. When it is safe, walk straight across the road whilst holding the hand of an adult if possible. Keep looking and listening as you cross the road. • Never run across the road as you could trip and fall in the road.

Behaviour in the Car • When riding in any vehicle, remember that the driver has to concentrate on what he or she is doing. To keep everyone safe, don’t distract the driver. • Make sure your seatbelt is always on and that you keep your hands away from the door handles. • When you get out of the vehicle, why is it important to get out on the pavement side?

Final Top Tips • Wearing bright colours will make sure you can be seen more clearly. High visibility vests are great. • Never cross in front or behind a bus or coach, as you won’t be able to see clearly in all directions and other drivers might not be able to see you. • Always make sure the cars at zebra crossings have stopped before you begin to cross with your adult.

Quiz Question 1 – What helps us to remember how to cross the road safely? A. The Blue Cross Code B. The Green Cross Code C. The Red Cross Code

Quiz Question 2 – Who is most likely to get hurt when crossing the road? A. Someone who walks, looks and listens as they cross the road. B. Someone sending a text message whilst crossing the road. C. A child who crosses the road whilst holding the hand of an adult.

Quiz Question 3 – Where would be safest to cross a road? A. Where the pavement is really busy at the other side. B. Between parked cars. C. At a pelican crossing.

Quiz Question 4 – When you get out of the vehicle, why is it safer to get out on the pavement side? A. There isn’t any traffic on the pavement. B. It’s less tiring. C. The seatbelt is easier to remove from this side.