Child casualties peak in July
Historical data shows that the monthly total of child road casualties rises to a peak in July when (based on a five-year average) 57% more children aged 15 are killed or hurt compared to December which has the lowest monthly average.
The summer peak in total child casualty numbers is likely to be down to children’s increased exposure to risk with the better weather and longer days meaning more young people playing outside with their friends; and cycling and walking to and from school.
For example the number of child cyclists hurt in July (the peak month) is some 400% higher than it is in December, while overall traffic volume in July is only about 13% higher than in December.
However the number of children in cars who are hurt on the roads also increases during the summer suggesting that by whatever means of travel, children are out and about more than during the winter months.
The table below shows all child casualties, and those killed and seriously injured, by month (five-year average, 2010-14).
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Child (0-15) casualties in GB by month. Five-year average, 2010-2014 |
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|
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
TOTAL |
|
All casualties |
1,162 |
1,234 |
1,486 |
1,487 |
1,633 |
1,700 |
1,733 |
1,571 |
1,657 |
1,594 |
1,396 |
1,103 |
17,755 |
|
Killed & seriously injured |
142 |
161 |
198 |
204 |
221 |
213 |
227 |
190 |
222 |
192 |
158 |
122 |
2,250 |
Looked at across the year the peak hour for child road casualties is between 3pm and 4pm with many also hurt in the following couple of hours. There is also a spike in the morning between 8am and 9am. The spikes coincide with the school ‘rush hours’.
Analysis of child road safety by the RAC Foundation also found that:
- The number of child road casualties who are boys is 33% higher than girls
- 40% of all child road casualties are pedestrians
- 13% of all child road casualties are cyclists
- 17% of all child road casualties occur on a Friday
