Campaign group Brake are calling for speed limits of 20mph to be introduced on all roads near to schools to “save lives.”
Last year 2,456 children aged under 16 were killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads, according to Department for Transport figures.
Most councils in England have introduced 20mph zones near to and around schools, but Brake has reported that some schools have speed limits of up to 60mph.
Brake said that for example Dropmore Infant School in Buckinghamshire has a speed limit of 60mph outside the school gates and there are no pavement.
Headteacher Gitta Streete, said: “What we often hear back is that because no-one has been seriously hurt or killed on that road, there is no need to make any changes.
“One parent had their car door taken off by a passing car. That could easily have been a child, parent or carer being hit.
“What we need is a proper, phased speed reduction system: a reduction to 20mph outside the school and safe areas for everyone to walk along and cross the road.”
Brake campaigns manager Lucy Straker said: “Dropmore’s situation is being replicated across the country.
“We speak to lots of schools where teachers are doing everything they can to make the roads near their school safe, but ultimately they need support from their local council and decision-makers.
“Why do we have to wait until a child is killed before we act?”
“We know that excess speed is a factor in about a quarter of fatal crashes, and the physics is pretty straightforward: the faster a vehicle is travelling, the harder it hits and the greater the impact.
“A crash at 30mph has twice the amount of kinetic energy as a crash at 20mph. Reducing speed saves lives.
“We’re calling for roads around every school to have 20mph speed limits – and other measures to effectively reduce traffic speed – so children and their families can travel safely to and from school every day.”
Linda Taylor, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: “It is up to each individual council to introduce measures based on their own local needs, taking into account the views of the school, police and local residents.
“Speed limits exist for a reason and road users must observe them to keep children and parents safe.”
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “Local authorities in England decide speed limits on their roads but we always encourage road designs that prioritise safety.
“There are no plans to introduce default or national 20mph speed limits in urban environments.”
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