§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is able to estimate the number of schoolchildren involved in fatal or serious road accidents on their way to and from school; what measures are currently in force to restrict the speed of, and warn, motorists in the vicinity of school gates; and how these measures compare with the practice in other countries of the European Economic Community, the United States of America and Australia.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIn 1983, 11,180 children, age 16 and under, were casualties while travelling to or from school, of which 96 and 2,636 were involved in fatal accidents and serious accidents respectively. The 73 children killed included 58 pedestrians and 12 cyclists; the 2,409 children seriously injured included 1,814 pedestrians and 409 cyclists.
School-related speed limits have been suggested before, but examination of the idea leaves me very 337W doubtful that they would have any safety benefit. Such periodic, low speed limits would be confusing to drivers; permanent low speed limits would tend to be ignored because they would be seen to be irrelevant much of the time. The use of "School Ahead" warning signs and yellow zig-zag markings are a better approach to securing greater awareness on the part of motorists of the need for extra care and attention.
Measures adopted in other countries reflect particular national conditions and requirements and would not necessarily be suited for implementation here.