A national survey of 15,000 9-13 year-olds launched for Road Safety Week by Brake and business insurance specialist QBE finds that almost nine in 10 children (86%) think drivers go too fast around their homes and schools. Shockingly, one in 10 children (10%) say they have been knocked down while walking or cycling; a further 56% have had a near miss, and 16% more have had a frightening experience with traffic.

Fleet operators, schools and communities across the UK are joining Brake’s campaign calling on drivers to slow down to 20mph or below around schools, homes and shops. At 20mph, drivers have a good chance of stopping in time if a child runs out three car lengths in front. Any faster than this, they would hit the child and have a significant chance of killing or maiming them.

Many fleet operators are backing the campaign by getting the message across to their drivers about the importance of slowing down, particularly to safeguard children.

Julie Townsend, campaigns director at Brake, said: 'We’re delighted that so many fleets are backing our Road Safety Week campaign by getting this important message across to their drivers and the wider public. I’d urge other fleet operators who aren’t already involved to log onto the Road Safety Week website and make use of our online fleet action pack, which can help fleet operators year-round to play their part in saving lives on our roads.'

Fleets can access up-to-the-minute guidance and research throughout the year to help them promote road safety and manage their road risk by joining Brake’s Fleet Safety Forum. For more information visit www.fleetsafetyforum.com