Charity launches road safety project for primary school pupils

The road safety charity Brake has set up a road safety poster competition for primary schools in a bid to highlight the importance of road safety.

The poster project, which is sponsored by Co-op insurance, aims to inspire and engage primary school children about the need for drivers to slow down so children can walk and cycle to school safely.

Supported by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), the competition will see winning designs from two categories turned into professional banners to be put up outside schools or in the local community.

The two categories will be for ages four to seven and seven to 11.

Children will also have the chance to win prizes for themselves and their school.

To help emergency service professionals inspire pupils, Brake has also produced a series of free resources, including assembly and workshop presentations that they can deliver to either the whole school or a single class on a day of their choice.

Children can then create a poster about the dangers of adults speeding.

The theme of the competition coincides with the fourth UN Global Road Safety Week, which runs between 8 and 11 May.

It focusses on speed and what can be done to address this key risk factor for road traffic deaths and injuries.

Schools also have the opportunity to fundraise for Brake by holding a Wear Your Stripes Day.

Inspired by the charity’s mascot Zak the Zebra, children and staff can dress in striped clothing in exchange for money to the charity that supports bereaved and seriously injured road crash victims.

The competition can be run on a day of the school’s choice, but entries need to be submitted to Brake by Friday, 30 June 2017.

Dave Nichols, community engagement manager for Brake, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for schools, children and parents to work together to help raise awareness about the dangers of speeding in their local community.

“At Brake, we recognise there is a significant need to help children deepen their knowledge about road safety, and teachers want to deliver lessons that they know will help.

“We’re sure our new resources and competition will inspire the next generation to be both creative and passionate about getting adults to protect all of us when using roads.”