Nurseries urged to teach toddlers road safety rules (From thisisoxfordshire)

Nurseries urged to teach toddlers road safety rules

1:07pm Friday 18th August 2006 in

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NURSERIES, pre-school groups, and childminders in Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire are being urged to teach young children how to stay safe on the roads.

The plea coincides with the launch of Beep Beep Days - an annual nationwide scheme aimed at introducing under-fives to road safety through fun activities.

Children are taught basic skills such as the importance of holding hands and the word "stop".

Toddlers can either walk along a supervised safe route, or use ride-on toys on a marked-out road on the playground.

Last year, seven children under the age of five in Northamptonshire and 11 in the Thames Valley, were killed or seriously injured while out walking or cycling.

Run by road safety charity Brake and sponsored by breakdown service Green Flag, Beep Beep Days aim to lower these figures. In 2005, more than 18,000 children took part in Beep Beep Days across the UK, and the charity hopes this will increase to 20,000 children this year.

Mary Williams, chief executive of Brake, said: "Every driver has a duty to protect our children by driving cautiously and carefully. We are grateful to all nurseries that help to make the Beep Beep campaign a success."

Hillary Williams, marketing director at Green Flag added: "We are backing Beep Beep Days for a third year because we believe that young and vulnerable children need educating about the dangers of the road. The project also provides a great way to prompt parents and drivers to take extra care when children are around Nurseries, playgroups, and childminders can run a Beep Beep Day on any day this year. They can register by contacting Brake on 01484 559909 or by emailing beepbeep@brake.org.uk More information is available on the Green Flag website at www.greenflag.com