Children urged to walk to school to learn road safety skills

Date: 14/5/2010

Learning about road safety will be one of the benefits of National Walk to School Week, according to the charity behind the initiative.

Living Streets chief executive Tony Armstrong highlighted the issue as one that could be addressed when the campaign gets underway on Monday (May 17th).

Running until May 21st, it will see children and parents encouraged to travel to school on foot - with those living a long way from their establishment urged to park at a distance and walk at least part of the journey.

"By walking, children can be taught important road safety messages, feel part of their community and gain the confidence they deserve," said Mr Amstrong, noting people often underestimate the time it takes to drive and overestimate walking times.

In addition to Walk to School Week, Living Streets organises a month-long campaign in October. The charity states the proportion of children travelling to school on foot has dropped from 62 per cent to 48 per cent in the last two decades.