Ireland Wood Primary School Learns About Road Safety Before Winter

National law firm Irwin Mitchell is teaming up with The Child Brain Injury Trust on the UK’s third ‘Glow Day’, to help spread the important message of road safety to school children in Leeds.

Glow Day, on October 14th, encourages road users and pedestrians to wear their brightest clothes as a reminder to be conscious of remaining visible as the nights draw in and the clocks go back later this month, to reduce the risk of any accidents during winter.

It comes during the Child Brain Injury Trust’s annual ‘Be Seen, Not Hurt’ Autumn Safety Campaign which runs from 10th – 14th October.

Staff from Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office will visit Ireland Wood school, with staff from the Child Brain Injury Trust to give them tips on staying safe when crossing roads outside school and on the way home.  

Road traffic accidents are the biggest cause of death and disability among young children in the UK and also the main cause of acquired brain injuries amongst them too.

Serious injury solicitor, Alan Ball, from Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office said: “Due to the work we do, we see first-hand the devastating impact of permanent or long-term injuries caused by road accidents which is why we are passionate about getting the message about road safety to hit home with children.

“Last year we gave a similar presentation to school pupils in Whitecote Primary School and received great feedback from teachers and parents of the pupils, so we’re proud to support the Child Brain Injury Trust’s ‘Glow Day’ for a third year running.” 

Sarah Knada, Regional Child and Family Support Co-Ordinator at Child Brain Injury Trust, said: “Following on from last year’s success, we have had a great response from firms like Irwin Mitchell who have been helping to support this initiative in their local area and raise more awareness of road safety amongst young people. 

“With the clocks going back soon, many children will be faced with travelling to or from school in the dark, which is why it is so important we are able to go into schools and provide information about road safety at this time of year.”

The Child Brain Injury Trust is a charity that supports children, young people, their families and professionals after brain injury. They have put together the following simple tips to teach children and young people about road safety:

• Always hold a child’s hand when walking near a road;

• Always choose a safe place to cross roads, i.e. zebra, pelican or toucan crossing;

• Explain to children it is not safe where they can’t see far along the road;

• Use the Green Cross Code with children;

• Ensure to keep looking and listening for traffic when it is safe to cross the road

• Always use zebra or light controlled crossing if available

• Always walk on the pavement, never stray onto the road

• Where there is no pavement, walk in single file on the right hand side of the road.

For more information about the Child Brain Injury Trust and ‘Glow Day’ or to donate, please visit www.childbraininjurytrust.org.uk.