600 children die and 10,000 are disabled in accidents in the UK each year Motor vehicles are involved in half the accidental deaths of children under 15. About half the children killed by motor vehicles were pedestrians - the rest were mainly car passengers or cyclists. Fatal and serious accidents are more common in the summer and between the hours of 8.00 to 9.00 am and 3.00 to 7.00 pm.
More casualties occur on minor than on major roads.
The Government encourages cycling as part of its overall strategy to reduce car use. Cycling can be made safer by having a more cycle-friendly road environment with cycle lanes for example, and by educating drivers and cyclists. Cyclists can also protect themselves by wearing a helmet. Accidents in the Home Most of the unintentional injury deaths in children under 5 take place in the home, as well as many less serious injuries. The type of accident a child is likely to have in the home is dependent on the child's age and stage of development.