The United Kingdom Neighbourhood Road Safety Initiative: Baseline Results on Risk Factors for Children in Deprived Communities

The United Kingdom is unique in having a national target to reduce injuries among deprived communities. Between 2004 and 2007, the UK government led the Neighborhood Road Safety Initiative to tackle the significantly higher incidence of road traffic injury among disadvantaged communities, especially among children. The 17,000,000 pound initiative involved 15 municipalities in the UK, all classified as deprived with high pedestrian casualty rates. Mixed method research was used to provide baseline information on road traffic injury risk factors for children in deprived communities. The results indicated that children were particularly at risk for road traffic injury as pedestrians and cyclists -- especially during leisure time -- when playing or hanging out in the street. Lower than average seatbelt wearing rates were reported by children, particularly among ethnic minority children. Cycle helmet wearing rates were also low. Parents perceived their neighborhood to be hazardous for children due to the illegal behavior of drivers and riders, antisocial behavior related to gangs, bullies, stranger-danger and the environmental threat caused by dogs, alcohol, and drug abuse. Alternatives to street recreation such as parks were viewed as inaccessible and at times unsafe. Leisure facilities such as clubs were viewed as poor and inaccessible. Inadequate parental supervision was also identified as a risk factor for child traffic injury. Many of these views were supported by the wider community. These risk factors could be addressed through a range of approaches involving partnership with the community and agencies responsible for urban planning, education, engineering, youth services, community safety and leisure facilities.