HC Deb 23 July 1996 vol 282 cc139-40W
Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued in respect of the age at which children no longer require supervision as pedestrians. [39275]

Mr. Norris

The Department has issued joint guidance, with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and other road safety bodies, on the topic "Teaching Children To Be Safer Pedestrians". This advises that children up to the age of seven should always be supervised. Above this age, parents and carers need to judge what level of supervision is required depending on local traffic conditions and the experience and responsibility of the child.

Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (i) what proposals he has and (ii) targets he has set for reducing death and injury to children on the road; [39276]

(2) what plans he has for educational initiatives to reduce death and injury to children on the road. [39277]

Mr. Norris

My Department has today announced a strategy to reduce child pedestrian fatalities by a quarter by the end of the century. This would save the lives of at least 30 children a year and reduce serious injuries by some 1,000 a year.

Under the strategy, the Department will continue to promote educational initiatives to reduce deaths and injuries to children on the roads.