Be Safe Be Seen

16 October 2007

Youngsters will be glowing during the dark nights in the latest road safety initiative by Northumberland County Council and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service.

“Northumberland Road Safety” staff were going into first schools this week handing out luminous stickers and giving safety advice for the “Be Safe, Be Seen” campaign.

They were visiting Windsor First School and Moorside First School in Newbiggin, Whitley Memorial First School in Bedlington, Croftway First School in Blyth and Ellingham First School, helping youngsters to stay safe while walking to school. Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service and Road Safety Officers have also worked in partnership with Surestart to ensure every child under the age of seven receives a high visibility vest.

Chief Fire Officer Brian Hesler said ‘We are determined to ensure that the children of Northumberland are made safer by being seen. These vests have been generously funded by Draeger Ltd, a company based in Blyth, and will be issued to all schools in the very near future.”

Helen Rowland, Road Safety Officer, said: “The national “Be Safe Be Seen” campaign runs the week before half term to coincide with the start of the dark nights – when the risks increase for children travelling home from school.

“We will also be holding assemblies, delivering road safety training and highlighting how youngsters can stay safe.”

The council is working with 35 schools this year on travel plans aimed at helping children and parents walk to school safely and reduce traffic – and the associated risks - around the school gates.

An example is “walking buses'” - groups of children who walk from home to school quickly and safely under the guidance of trained adult supervisors, taking the pressure off parents in the morning and providing children with a healthy and invigorating walk each day.

The “glo-vests” will be worn at all times on school walking buses around the county, to ensure safety at all times.

Northumberland Road Safety is a partnership between the County Council’s highways department and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service.