1. Information for 11-15 year-olds on staying safe on roads
Arrive alive
Information for year-olds on staying safe on roads
Produced by:
With support from:
This lesson is all about risks you face on roads – in vehicles and as pedestrians and cyclists
It includes information on how many teenagers are affected by death and injury on roads and practical information on how you can all reduce your chances of being in a road crash or knocked down.
This information comes from road safety charity Brake.

2. THE FACTS: how many people do you think are involved in road crashes every day in the UK?
Number of deaths
Number of serious injuries (including brain damage, paralysis, limb loss)
Number of slight injuries 9 82
673
Road safety is a really important topic to cover because so many people are killed and injured on roads – and many of them are teenagers.
Ask the class to estimate how many people they think are killed and seriously injured on roads every day, then read and talk through the statistics.
For each of the 9 deaths a day, a family somewhere in the UK will have received a knock at the door from a police officer, to tell them that their loved one has been suddenly killed.
Many of the 82 serious injuries a day are life-changing afflictions like brain damage, limb loss and paralysis.
Road crashes differ from many other common causes of death in that they are always sudden and unexpected and they often affect children and young people.
Road crashes are the biggest killer of year-olds and the second biggest killer of 5-14 year-olds (after cancer).
In the UK in 2005, 156 under-16s were killed and 3,445 were seriously injured on roads. A further 25,442 were slightly injured.
Many of those killed and injured are people your age. Road crashes are the biggest killer of year-olds and the second biggest killer of 5-14 year-olds (after cancer).

3. DISCUSS: real life case studies of road deaths and injuries
Most communities have tragic stories of people being killed or injured on roads.
HAND OUT NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS ABOUT ROAD DEATHS AND INJURIES (which you have prepared in advance)
Ask the class to read the articles and split into groups to discuss the impact they think these road crashes may have had. They can also talk about the cuttings on the slide simply using the information that they can read in the headlines.
Encourage them to consider the family and wider community and both practical and emotional consequences. Encourage the class to put themselves into the shoes of those affected by these deaths or injuries and ask them how they would feel.
Also encourage them to think about the driver that caused the crash and their friends and family, as well as the friends and family of those hurt or killed (if they are different). How might their lives be different after the crash?

4. BRAINSTORM: thinking about true stories in the newspaper cuttings, discuss the effects of road crashes
What effects do you think road deaths have on families and communities?
Practical effects
Emotional effects
What effects do you think serious injuries like limb-loss, brain damage and paralysis have on people’s lives?
Discuss with the class the effects of road deaths and injuries that they’ve thought of in their group discussions, noting effects in the boxes, according to whether they’re practical or emotional.
Some emotional consequences of bereavement could include:
Disbelief
Anger (with the person who caused the crash, the person who died for letting themselves get in that situation, and even with yourself for not stopping them from getting into that situation)
Asking yourself ‘what if?’ (e.g. what if I had told them to do up their seatbelt, or stopped them from mucking about in the road)
Reliving the crash through dreams and flashback (even if you weren’t there – imagining what happened)
Depression, anxiety (e.g. about going out, getting in a vehicle, about the safety of loved ones), even suicidal feelings
Some practical consequences of bereavement:
Wrecked plans – holidays, birthdays etc
Having to consider organ donation, arrange funeral, perhaps deal with court proceedings
Loss of earnings if the person killed was a ‘bread-winner’
When young people think of being injured they may think of breaking an arm, but perhaps not think through more serious injuries that often result from road crashes. Emphasise that many injuries on roads are life-changing injuries such as limb-loss, brain damage and paralysis and discuss the effects that these types of injuries can have on your life.
Some possible consequences of serious injury (in addition to many of the above):
Problems with mobility, speech, and mental processes such as memory
Loss of independence, frustration at being dependent on others
Not being able to pursue the same career path
Not being able to do same activities as before (sports, hobbies etc)
More information about specific types of serious injury, and the effects they can have on people’s lives, can be found at:
(an organisation supporting people with head injuries)
(as organisation supporting people with spinal injuries)
(an organisation supporting people with disfiguring injuries)
Practical effects
Emotional effects

5. DISCUSS: What is a ‘vulnerable road user’?
Why are these types of road user vulnerable, compared to people in vehicles?
They do not have a vehicle around them, helping to protect them in a crash
This means if they are hit, they bear the full force of the impact
Many people killed and injured on roads are in vehicles, but a large proportion are people on foot and bicycles. 29% of deaths and serious injuries on our roads happen to people who are walking or cycling at the time.
People on foot and bicycles are sometimes called ‘vulnerable road users’.
Vulnerable road users also include people on horses and motorbikes.
Discuss with the group what we mean when we say these types of road user are vulnerable, then reveal answer.
We mean that these types of road user do not have a vehicle around them, which helps to protect you in the event of a crash. If you’re in a car and another vehicle crashes into you, the car will help to absorb some of the impact (although you can still be hurt or killed in vehicles).
If you’re on foot, bicycle, motorbike or horse and a vehicle crashes into you, you bear the full force of the impact.
That doesn’t mean it’s better to travel in vehicles. Walking and cycling is a more healthy and environmentally-friendly way to travel. Plus the more people that walk and cycle instead of driving, the safer our roads would be!
But what it does mean is that when you do walk and cycle, it’s crucial to do everything you can reduce the chances of being knocked down and to help your mates do the same.
It also means that drivers have a responsibility to drive safely, slow down and look out for vulnerable road users – although unfortunately many drivers don’t acknowledge this responsibility and drive dangerously around schools and homes.
We’re all vulnerable road users – and we all need to look out for each other on roads

6. DISCUSS: When are pedestrians and cyclists particularly at risk?
When they’re not wearing proper gear, such as helmets on bikes and horses and high-visibility gear
When they are distracted or impaired, such as by a mobile phone or if they are drunk
Around fast-moving traffic
When it’s dark, raining or foggy
When there’s no pavement or cycle path to keep people on foot and bicycles away from traffic
There are certain situations in which vulnerable road users are especially vulnerable – due to their behaviour, the behaviour of other road users, or their surroundings.
Discuss with the class when vulnerable road users are especially vulnerable, then reveal some of the most dangerous situations.
Discuss which of these situations are down to the vulnerable road user’s own behaviour (such as deciding not to wear a cycle helmet), which are due to other road user’s behaviour (such as drivers driving too fast), and which are due to other factors (such as bad weather or lack of a footpath). Vulnerable road users can often take steps to avoid risky situations, such as choosing a route that avoids fast roads, and wearing high-visibility gear in bad weather.
Click here to see a Think! advert – ‘camera phone’

7. THE FACTS: speed and stopping distances
One of the main things that puts vulnerable road users at risk is drivers driving too fast – which is why it’s a good idea to avoid walking or cycling on or near any roads with fast traffic if you can.
The rules of physics mean that, no matter how fast a driver’s reaction times, the faster they drive, the longer it takes them to stop, and the harder they hit.
Stopping distances increase hugely as a driver’s speed goes up. In dry weather, the typical stopping distance at 30mph is 23 metres. However, if the driver increases their speed by a third to 40mph, their stopping distance increases by half – to 36 metres. That means if you run into the road without looking properly and a car’s travelling towards you at 40mph, if it’s less than 36 metres away it will hit you.
Bear in mind that the majority of drivers do break speed limits at one time or another. That means that if you’re on a 30mph road, you can expect many of the vehicles on it to be going faster than 30mph – don’t presume that traffic will be within the speed limit on that road.
Also bear in mind that stopping distances are greatly increased in wet or icy weather and if drivers are distracted or impaired (e.g. because they’re talking on a mobile, tired, or have been drinking). It may also take drivers longer to stop if visibility is poor and it’s therefore harder to spot people on foot or bicycles.
If you’re on foot or a bicycle, never take a chance and presume that a driver will be able to spot you and stop in time. Only cross when you’re 100% sure it’s safe and there’s nothing coming.
The faster drivers go, the less time they have to react to people and hazards

8. THE FACTS: what are the survival chances of a pedestrian hit at 20mph, 30mph, 35mph and 40mph?
95% chance of survival
30mph =
80% chance of survival
35mph =
50% chance of survival
40mph =
10% chance of survival
The faster drivers go, the less time they have to react to hazards and the harder they’ll hit if they do hit something or someone, increasing the chance of causing death and serious injury.
Ask the class to guess what they think a pedestrian’s survival chances are if they’re hit by a car travelling at these different speeds. Agree with the class their guess for the percentage survival chances and write them into the boxes.
Then reveal the answers.
IF a vehicle hits someone at 20mph, they’ll almost definitely live. If it hits them at 40mph, they’ll almost definitely die.
These figures also show why breaking a 30mph speed limit – even by a little bit – is such a dangerous thing for drivers to do. If someone’s hit at 35, they’re more than twice as likely to die than if they’re hit at 30mph.
That’s why it’s safest for drivers to drive at 20mph or below around schools and homes. Some schools and communities have 20mph zones, with big signs and speed bumps to slow traffic down, but many schools and communities have fast roads where people on foot and bikes are particularly at risk.
Discuss the roads around your school – what are the speed limits? Do the students feel vulnerable if they have to cross these roads? If you have a map of the area you could point out the danger spots.
The faster drivers go, the harder they hit, and the greater the chance of death or serious injury

9. DISCUSS: How safe do you feel in cars, compared to other types of transport?
2.5 deaths per billion km travelled
0.2 deaths per billion km travelled
0.4 deaths per billion km travelled
Moving on to think about travel inside vehicles, discuss how safe pupils feel in cars, compared to other types of vehicle.
Why do they think people often feel safe in cars?
Because they feel in control (if they are driving)? Because it is such an every-day mode of transport?
We are often complacent about using roads because it’s something we do every day and it’s easy to forget the dangers.
In fact, you’re 25 times more likely to die in a car than in a plane or on a boat.
Out of all these vehicles, by far the most deaths per km is on motorbikes. Common reasons for motorcyclist deaths and injuries are other drivers failing to spot them (for example, at a junction and pulling out on them) and motorcyclists taking risks (such as speeding and overtaking dangerously).
Less than 0.01 deaths per billion km travelled
Less than 0.01 deaths per billion km travelled
105 deaths per billion km travelled
You’re much more likely to die in a car or on a motorbike than on trains, buses, planes or ferries

10. How safe are you in cars?
The statistics on the previous slide showed that you’re more at risk in cars than in other vehicles like trains and planes. However, how at risk you are in cars varies, depending on the car, depending on the driver and depending on choices you make as a passenger.
Many new cars have ‘crash protection features’ to help absorb the force of a crash and protect the people inside.
All new cars are crash tested and rated for how well they protect the occupants (results available at and some are better than others. Many new cars have air bags to help cushion the occupants and ‘crumple zones’ to absorb the force of an impact. You can see how the car being crash-tested in the picture has crumpled at the front, absorbing the force and leaving the rest of the car fairly intact. Many older cars don’t do this, which is why it’s a good idea to avoid getting a lift in any old bangers.
However, even if you’re in the newest car with the best crash protection, you can still die in a crash. Cars are only crash-tested at 40mph, so the faster the driver goes, the less likely it is that the car will be able to protect you in a crash. That’s why it’s still really down to how safe the driver is, and that’s why you should never get a lift with any driver who you don’t know for sure will drive safely.
It’s also down to you as a passenger to always belt up in cars – whether you’re in the front or the back – and to never do anything that could distract the driver or encourage them to take risks (like telling them to hurry up).

11. Some drivers are more likely to crash than others
Some drivers are more likely to crash than others. This chart shows that young men are most likely to be involved in a crash in which they are killed.
The blue line is male driver deaths and the pink line is female driver deaths. Both peak in in the late teens/early twenties age group – so this is the age you’re most vulnerable as a driver. Young men aren’t just most likely to kill themselves – they are also often responsible for the deaths of others.
According to Government statistics, out of convictions for ‘causing death by dangerous driving’ in 2005, 28% were against drivers under 21 and 97% were against male drivers.
This doesn’t mean that women don’t ever cause road crashes – they do – it just means that male drivers are more likely to.
Discuss why young drivers are more likely to crash than older drivers. What attributes makes them more at risk?
Possible answers include:
Young drivers lack experience, and so often have poor hazard-awareness skills, even if they have mastered the physical skills of driving
Young drivers often feel confident in their abilities, and don’t realise how their inexperience makes them at risk
Young people are more likely to take risks like speeding, drink-driving, not belting up and overtaking dangerously – often for thrills or to show off to friends
This means you should think very carefully before accepting a lift from a young driver. Don’t get in if there is any chance that they: are unlicensed or uninsured; have drunk any alcohol or taken drugs; might speed or take other risks that could endanger your life. They’re not a friend if they’re willing to gamble with your life.
Young drivers, especially young male drivers, are much more likely to kill themselves and others in road crashes, compared to older drivers

12. BRAINSTORM - what types of behaviour causes death and injuries on roads?
Among drivers:
Among passengers:
Among pedestrians:
Discuss what types of behaviour – among drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists – can lead to road death and injury and jot the answers into the boxes. After doing this, ask the class to call out the things you’ve written that can endanger others as well as yourself. This should show how much of your behaviour on roads can affect others as well as yourself – especially for drivers and passengers.
(NB: you can point out that even passengers belting up affects the safety of others because if you don’t belt up in the back, you can kill the person in front of you in a crash by flying forward and hitting them).
Answers might include the following:
Among drivers –
Speeding, racing, overtaking dangerously
Driving on drink or drugs
Driving while tired
Driving while talking on a mobile
Not belting up
Among passengers –
Distracting the driver
Encouraging the driver to speed/race/take risks
Among pedestrians –
Not looking or paying attention when crossing the road
Running across the road
Crossing between parked vehicles or near a bend
Walking on a road with no pavement
Not wearing high-visibility gear in the dark/bad weather
Mucking about/pushing each other into the road
Being drunk, stumbling into the road
Among cyclists –
Not wearing a helmet
Having faulty brakes or flat tyres
Not paying attention/looking properly at a junction
Among cyclists:
Now circle the types of behaviour that endanger other people (as well as yourself)

13. PLEDGE TO STAY SAFE: walk smart
FACT: teenagers are more likely to be killed or injured down while walking than under-11s
BRAINSTORM: why do you think young people your age are more
at risk on foot?
We’ve identified the actions that people often take that put themselves and others at risk, so let’s now think about the ways you can stay safe on roads. I’m going to ask you to all make a promise to yourselves – a pledge to stay safe. It’s up to you to look after yourselves and to commit personally to these simple ways of reducing the risks you face.
Firstly – making smart, safe choices while walking.
You may think that now you’re in your teens, you’re old enough that you don’t need to worry about things like the green cross code.
But the fact is that people your age are much more likely to be killed or injured while walking than younger kids.
Discuss what are the possible reasons for that? Why are teenagers more at risk than younger children?
Possible answers include:
Teenagers are more likely to be out and about on their own or with friends (as opposed to being accompanied by an adult)
Teenagers might put each other at risk by mucking about near roads – even pushing each other into roads or playing dare
Teenagers are more likely to get distracted while walking by mobile phones, i-pods or just by their mates
Teenagers may feel more complacent about traffic and believe that they are immune to the risk of getting knocked down because they feel they’re old enough to know what they’re doing around roads – this may mean they’re less likely to take care

14. PLEDGE TO STAY SAFE: walk smart
SMART CHOICES:
When crossing, focus on the road – not your mates or your mobile
Cross in places where drivers can see you easily
Go back to basics – stop, look, listen
Don’t muck about near roads or put your mates at risk
Wear something bright and reflective
Choose safe routes
These are the smart choices we can all take while walking to reduce the risk of getting hurt or killed by traffic.
Don’t get complacent about traffic – pay attention to the roads and traffic around you and make sure you’re not distracted when crossing roads. If you’re on the phone, tell the other person to hold on, and resume the conversation once you’re across the road. It’s harder to think about two things at once than you might think.
Give a bit of thought to where it’s safest to cross roads. Use crossings where you can - don’t cut across the road before you get to the crossing just to save a few seconds. If there’s no crossing, make sure you’re crossing where drivers can see you easily. (Get the class to shout out hazards that mean it’s not safe to cross – e.g. near bends, parked cars, or other obstructions like bridges)
Don’t think you can forget the green cross code because you’re a bit older now! It’s so simple and it could save your life. If you need to cross, stop, look both ways, listen, and only cross if there’s nothing coming. Keep looking and listening while you cross.
Don’t muck about in or near roads. If you want to muck about, do it in a park or garden where you can really fool about without worrying about the traffic. And never do anything to put your mates at risk - mates are supposed to look out for each other. Think how you’d feel if you were responsible for one of your mates getting killed or suffering life-changing injury.
This is a really important one in autumn and winter – have something on you that’s bright and reflective if you’re out and about in dark or gloomy weather – even some stickers on your bike or bag helps. Some trainers have reflectors built in too. The best material is called ‘retro-reflective’ – if you wear anything retro-reflective, drivers can see you from much further away.
Finally, think about the routes you take. Avoid roads with fast traffic and ones with no pavement. Is the route you take to school or your mate’s house the safest one?
Click on the link to show an advert aimed at teenagers on why it’s so important to be safe while walking. (Click on the link to and then ‘my house’.)
Click here to see a Think! advert – ‘my house’

15. PLEDGE TO STAY SAFE: cycle smart
FACT: one in three cyclists killed and injured are
under 20
FACT: half of injuries suffered by cyclists are to
the head or face
SMART CHOICES:
Always wear a helmet
Be bright be seen
Check your bike’s in good shape
Stay focused – never use your mobile or stereo
Plan your route
Know your road rules
Be skilled - get trained!
We’ve talked about risks that cyclists sometimes take, which can lead to injuries or even death. If you cycle, these are ways that you can reduce the risks you face.
A massive proportion of cyclists killed and injured in Great Britain are under 20 – one in three
About half of injuries sustained by cyclists are to the head and face – that’s why helmets are real life-savers.
Wearing a helmet is the most basic principle of safe, smart cycling. You wouldn’t catch a professional cyclist not wearing one. Make sure you’ve got a helmet that fits you properly and that meets British Safety Standards.
As we talked about on the last slide – make sure you have something retro-reflective. You should at least have a white reflector at the front of your bike and wheel reflectors. You can also add reflective stickers to your bike frame and your clothes (such as your jacket or bag). Bear in mind that cycling in the dark is much more risky than cycling in daylight, so it’s often best avoided. However, if you do cycle in the dark, it’s a legal requirement to have front and back lights. It’s a good idea to have them fitted on your bike even if you don’t plan on cycling in the dark, just in case you get caught out – for example, if you’re out and it starts to get dark earlier than you thought or the weather turns gloomy.
Make sure you properly maintain your bike – especially ensure your brakes are working and lights and reflectors are clean.
Stay focused on the road while cycling – never cycle while using a mobile or stereo.
Plan your route and make sure you use cycle paths where they’re available. Again, consider if the routes you use at the moment are the safest routes. You can find more information on local cycle paths at
Know your road rules – read the Highway Code.
One of the best ways to improve your safe cycling skills is to undertake cycling proficiency training. (Share info with the class on any training that’s available in your area).
For more info on cycle safety, go to
For info on cycle paths, go to

16. PLEDGE TO STAY SAFE: travel smart
FACT: one in three car passengers killed on roads are under 20
FACT: young drivers are more likely to crash if there are other young people in the car
BRAINSTORM: Why are young drivers more likely to crash with their mates in the car?
Finally, we need to look at ways to stay safe when you’re travelling in vehicles. A massive one in three car passengers killed on Great Britain’s roads are under 20.
We’ve talked about the fact that young drivers are particularly likely to crash, but research shows they’re even more likely to crash when they’ve got other young people in the car.
Discuss with the class why this might be. Possible answers include:
Young drivers may be more likely to take risks to show off if they have young passengers
Young drivers may be more likely to be distracted by young passengers, who might muck about and make a lot of noise
Young passengers might be less likely to speak up for safety and tell the driver to slow down or take more care if they’re driving dangerously
Ask the class to state the ways in which they can ensure they’re safer as passengers – including deciding whether they should accept a lift or not in the first place, and what they should do in the vehicle, like belting up and speaking up if they feel at risk.
What can you do to make sure you’re safe as a passenger?

17. PLEDGE TO STAY SAFE: travel smart SMART CHOICES:
Never get a lift from anyone you don’t know for sure will drive safely
Never get a lift from anyone you don’t know for sure is sober, licensed and insured
Always belt up front and back – check everyone else does too
Never distract the driver or encourage them to drive dangerously
Tell the driver to slow down if they’re going too fast. Ask to be let out if they don’t
These are the basics of looking after your self as a passenger.
Don’t get in the car in the first place if you’re not sure the driver will drive safely (i.e. it’s someone you know very well and trust to not put your life at risk).
Never get a lift from anyone who’s been drinking (even very small amounts of alcohol – like half a pint of beer – affect drivers’ reaction times), taking drugs, or who is (or might be) unlicensed or uninsured.
Even if you know your driver is safe, you should still belt up front and back – because you can’t predict what other drivers on the road will do, and it’s one of the quickest, simplest ways to reduce your chances of death or serious injury in a crash.
Check everyone else in the vehicle is belted up too – you could be a life-saver. Plus bear in mind that if you’re a front seat passenger, and the person behind you isn’t belted up, they could kill you in a crash.
If it’s taking you a minute to get your seat belt done up, tell the driver to hold on before they set off.
Make sure you don’t do anything that could distract the driver or encourage them to take risks – like telling them to speed up, or turning their stereo volume up.
And if your driver is taking risks – like breaking speed limits, or talking on a mobile while driving, tell them to stop. Don’t be scared to speak up for safety – even if it’s a parent driving! The prospect of being in a horrific car crash is far more scary. If you feel at risk and the driver is refusing to drive safely, then ask politely to be let out in a safe place. Carry a mobile phone with you in case of emergencies like this. Ideally, you should do everything you can to avoid getting into a situation like this – by thinking very carefully about who you get a lift with.
Finally, try to agree these tactics with your mates. Talk about what you’d do in different situations (like being offered a lift by an older friend) and agree safe strategies. It’s much easier to stand up for safety and make smart choices if you’ve got back-up.
Agree these tactics with your mates – it’s easier to stand up for safety if you’ve got someone to back you up

18. Walk smart, Cycle smart, Travel smart
PLEDGE TO STAY SAFE:
Walk smart, Cycle smart, Travel smart
This presentation was produced in memory of:
Don’t forget that the smart choices in this presentation could save your life or someone else’s.
Walk smart, cycle smart, travel smart, and arrive alive.
Remember the devastation that road death and injury causes. Think of people like Aaron, Matthew, and Kimberley, who were all killed young on roads. If you’re having any doubts about why you should make safe choices, think of them.
Kimberley Wilson, age 15, killed as a passenger in a friend’s car
Aaron Turner, age 12, killed while crossing the road
Matthew Orr, age 10, killed while cycling