News Date: Tuesday 23rd October 2007
Tim: Be Safe, Be Seen
As the clocks go back on Sunday 28 October East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton is supporting a scheme which gives out pedestrian reflectors (cat's eyes) to school children and encourages them to stay safe and seen on the roads as winter is drawing in.
The scheme, Cats' Eyes for Kids, is in its seventh year and is run by Nationwide Building Society. All children in Year One will be given an individual reflector to wear when they are out and about. Research from Finland, where pedestrian reflectors have been used successfully for more than 30 years, show that children there are eight times safer with a reflector than without.
Under the scheme over 1 million reflectors and teaching resource packs will be distributed directly to new intake pupils through individual primary schools during October and November
Tim commented:
"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.
"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. I would urge pupils, teachers and parents who are interested in learning more about the scheme or would like to be sent extra reflectors to visit www.nationwide.co.uk for more information.
"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."
ENDS
