Councillor Paul Scriven, Leader of Sheffield City Council said: “The numbers speak for themselves. Drivers who drive above the speed limit are one of the biggest causes of deaths and injuries to children. We want to keep everybody in this city safe on our roads. Slowing down is the single most important thing that drivers can do. The slower you drive the more chance you have to react to the unexpected. Road Safety Week isn’t about telling off drivers it’s about raising awareness and remembering those who may have lost their loved ones. If everyone does their bit we can make Sheffield a safer place.”

The World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims is on 21st November marking a poignant start to Road Safety Week. On Sunday memorial events will be taking place across the region, attended by members of the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership.

Over 2,000 children aged 1-15 have been run over in Sheffield over the past 10 years.  Six of these children were killed.  Traffic is one of the biggest causes of death and serious injury of children. It’s also one of the ways that children are most likely to be suddenly and violently bereaved; losing a brother, sister, parent or other close relative.

Chief inspector Stuart Walne, Head of Roads Policing at South Yorkshire Police said: “We do a lot of work to support the families of victims of road traffic accidents through our team of Family Liaison Officers who provide invaluable support to bereaved families. This time of year we remember the loved ones who are lost as well as raising awareness to keep others safe on the roads.”

During Road Safety Week, children will be seeing how hand-held speed cameras work and watching the police stop speeding motorists. They will be learning how to cross the road safely and how it is particularly important at this time of year to wear or carry something bright or reflective when they’re out and about. 

Niamh aged 10 from St Patrick’s said: "I think that speeding is bad.  I saw someone who had children with them crossing the road - a car came round the corner fast and they could have got run over."  

Councillor Scriven added: “Children’s overwhelming message is a simple one: if we want to improve the safety and quality of life of kids using roads in our communities, we need to SLOW DOWN. That is why we have given the powers to local Councillors through the community assemblies to see if they wish to bringin 20mph zones on side streets in their area”

Hit at 30mph, 45% of pedestrians die, but at hit at 20mph there is a 95% chance they will live.