As the nights draw in, the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) is urging parents and carers to talk to children about staying safe on the roads. The “Be Bright, Be Seen” initiative highlights the risks faced by young pedestrians as the evenings draw in, with the most vulnerable age group being those that have started to travel independently to secondary school.
Be Bright, Be Seen also reminds drivers of their responsibility to take extra caution as the darker evenings arrive, to allow for the reduced visibility making pedestrian movements harder to anticipate.
Statistics show that pedestrian casualties spike sharply at ages 11 and 12, a point when many children walk to school alone for the first time. With Essex-based collision data showing this age group account for the highest number of child pedestrian injuries, often occurring at school travel times and linked to distractions, peer pressure, and inexperience in judging traffic.
Children are most likely to be injured as a pedestrian or cyclist when travelling to or from school, especially if they are at senior school. To tackle this risk, The SERP calls on parents to encourage children to wear bright or reflective clothing, remind them to use crossings correctly and to talk openly about the dangers of distraction, including mobile phone use and being distracted or put in risky situations while with friends.
Alongside these messages, the SERP is working with The Riot Act theatre company to deliver interactive plays and workshops in schools throughout the autumn season. Their production, “What Went Down”, uses drama to explore road safety on the school run, highlighting the pressures young people face and the repercussions of making risky decisions, along with helping them build the confidence to make safe choices.
Naomi Woodruff, Road Safety Education Team Leader at Essex Highways, said: “We know that the move to secondary school is a huge milestone for young people. It’s often one of the first times they walk to school without an adult, which makes them especially vulnerable. Our data shows that peer pressure, distractions, and a lack of experience all play a part in collisions at this age. Through raising awareness and working directly in schools, we want to give parents the tools to talk to their children and give them the confidence and tools to make safer decisions.”
Ollie Robinson, Project Manager at The Riot Act, added: “Theatre is a powerful way to connect with young audiences. By combining live performance with interactive workshops, we help students reflect on real-life situations, explore the role of peer influence, and practice making safer choices. We’re proud to be working with the SERP on such an important project.”
In addition to work in schools, The SERP will be sharing “Be Bright, Be Seen” messages across social media, reminding parents and children about visibility in the dark and choosing the right locations to cross, as well as urging drivers to be alert and cautious, particularly in built-up areas during the darker evenings by always being alert of the unexpected appearance of a pedestrian. By combining education with awareness for all road users, the initiative aims to reduce risks and save lives.
Parents, carers and teachers can find resources and advice on pedestrian safety at: saferessexroads.org/pedestrians.
