More cars on British roads, fewer children walking to school

Latest government figures suggest the increasing number of vehicles on British roads and its effect on the travel habits of children continues a vicious cycle – the more traffic there is, the more likely children are to be ferried to school by car.

Despite the high cost of fuel and a reported decline in traffic, figures from the Department for Transport show that a greater number than ever of British households have a car. The proportion of households without a car fell from 30 per cent in 1995-7 to 25 per cent last year.

The proportion of 7-10 year olds making their way to school independently fell from 19 per cent in 2003 to 15 per cent last year. Only 13 per cent of children are now allowed to cross the road on their own.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The fact that fewer and fewer children are allowed to cross the road or travel to school unaccompanied is a disturbing trend – everything else being equal children who get some exercise on their way to school are healthier and perform better academically than those driven to school.”

The fact that many children are now driven to school may go some way to explaining the improvements in British road casualty figures. The latest figures available, which relate to 2007, show that road deaths on British roads have fallen below 3,000 for the first time since records began in 1926. Every category of vehicle, except goods vehicles, has seen a decrease in numbers killed.

“There may be fewer casualties on British roads but the fact more people are in cars makes them less safe – high levels of traffic make streets feel dangerous puts people off cycling and walking” added the spokesperson.

The poll of 8,400 households also revealed that despite initiatives to encourage healthy modes of travel, almost one in four people did not go for a walk of 20 minutes or more in the last year. In addition, the proportion of British women with a driving licence continues to increase – rising from 57 per cent to 63 per cent. The proportion of people over 70 holding driving licences has risen dramatically to 52 per cent.

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What is the ETA?

The ETA is a not-for-profit ethical organisation providing motorists and cyclists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.