December 2004

Download PDF

Download Word doc

Email

Print

Reducing 'school runs' by car by 10% could prevent 190 deaths and serious injuries a year

REDUCING ‘SCHOOL RUNS’ BY CAR BY 10% COULD PREVENT 190 DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES A YEAR, SAYS MORE TH>N1

- ‘School run’ motor accidents cause almost 7,000 deaths and injuries a year with over 200 child deaths
- Flexible school hours could prevent over 300 casualties a year
- Car journeys to school up 20 per cent in last decade – but walking to school down by 14 per cent

As concerns about the health, safety and environmental impact of the ’school run’ grow, a new Motoring Risk Report from insurer MORE TH>N shows that a 10 per cent reduction in school commuting by car could prevent 190 deaths and injuries a year – that’s one for every school day.

MORE TH>N’s report also suggests that the Government’s plans to review current school transport trends, including extending the traditional ’school run’ period of 8am to 9am to between 7am and 10am, could reduce congestion by two thirds, resulting in 304 fewer casualties a year.

The increasing number of children being driven to school means that roads are becoming more clogged up for everyone during peak morning hours (between 8am and 9am), and in addition almost 7,000 people are killed or injured each year in car accidents during the ’school run’. The study shows that in 2003, 12 per cent of cars travelling during these peak times were taking children to school.

MORE TH>N’s report found that more parents are driving their children to their place of education than ever before. Around 40 per cent of primary school children and 20 per cent of secondary school age are now driven to school every day. In 1980, four out of 10 households had no regular access to a car and only around one in ten households had two or more cars. However, by 2002, car access for households was up over 14 per cent, and over a quarter of UK households had two or more cars.

How has transport to school changed?
Table shows what percentage of school journeys were made by various modes of transport
Mode of transport 1989/1991 1999/2001
Walking 56% 49%
Car 21% 28%
Bus 19% 19%
Cycling 3% 2%
Other (mostly taxi and train) 2% 2%
Source: MORE TH>N Risk Report November 2004

David Pitt, head of motor insurance at MORE TH>N, said: “The school run has taken over the rush hour, creating congestion and increasing the chances of having an accident. It’s easy to understand why more children are being driven to school: today’s parents are busier than ever, and concerned about the safety of their children yet the resulting increase in traffic may actually be making the situation more dangerous.

“We will be passing our conclusions onto the Department for Transport and are happy to work with all interested parties on making roads safer – the key is to encourage travelling to schools by bus or on foot rather than relying on the car. The School Transport Bill looks like an innovative way of addressing a very modern problem and even if just one life is saved through reviewing safety during the ’school run’ period then it has to be worth it.”

Ends
1. MORE TH>N research produced in association with the Centre for Economics and Business Ltd (November 2004)

About MORE TH>N

MORE TH>N is the direct financial services arm of Royal & SunAlliance. It offers motor, home, pet, travel, life and health insurance as well as a credit card via the internet and by phone.

Further information:
Claire Germain
MORE TH>N Press Office
Claire.germain@uk.royalsun.com
Tel: 020 7337 5602

SHARE THIS ARTICLE: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?