Keep children safe this winter

PARENTS are being urged to be extra careful now their children are coming home from school in the dark. They are being advised to give their children glow in the dark fluorescent clothing to help make them as visible as possible to drivers.

By wearing a high visibility vest or jacket, children’s safety will be improved, says GEM Motoring Assist’s David Williams. He added: ‘Department of Transport research shows around 80 deaths and 200 serious injuries would be prevented on our roads if the UK switched to GMT+1 in winter and GMT+2 in summer.

‘Until these changes are made, pedestrians should be especially careful when walking in the dark. Fluorescent reflective jackets are cheap and easy to buy and parents and kids will be much more visible in motorists’ headlamps. It could be a life saver.’

A poll carried out by GEM Motoring Assist shows that 86% of drivers are concerned about being able to see child pedestrians during the winter months. David Williams says drivers need to be extra vigilant during winter, particularly as they get used to the darker evenings in the weeks immediately after the clocks going back.

Williams added: ‘Drivers need to play their part and pay even more attention when driving in and around built-up areas and known schoolrun routes while they adjust to the darker days.’

By Press Association reporters