Green Cross Code for the 21st Century

Green Cross Code for the 21st Century

It’s a dilemma every parent faces; at what age should you trust your children to cross the road by themselves?

Despite the fact that new research released today shows one in ten parents know a child who has been knocked over by traffic, the average age that children first cross the road by themselves today is just seven.

With more cars on the roads than ever before, and with cars now faster and more powerful, you would expect most parents to at least hold their kids’ hands when they cross the road, the study by Admiral however shows that almost two thirds of parents are not doing so.

That’s why road safety and the Green Cross Code are now more important than ever. However, worryingly it seems that many parents are failing to set a good example for their kids with less than half saying they actually follow the Code themselves.

And while the majority of parents believe it’s their responsibility to teach their kids the Green Cross Code, half of them also say schools should take responsibility as well.

For older children, modern day inventions such as iPods, and mobile phones are also becoming a road safety issue with one in 10 children saying they cross the road while talking on their mobile phones, texting or listening to their iPods. Parents could unwittingly be setting their kids a bad example with a similar number of parents doing the same.

Admiral has created a 21st Century update on the Green Cross Code. Presented by Angellica Bell, the following video highlights what dangers exist for children on our roads today and how to avert them.

It also features Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Take a look and why not show your kids too?