Safe School Travel

It is a pleasure to have been asked by the Scottish School Board Association to provide the foreword for this reprint of the Safe School Travel Code. This booklet is an excellent publication which covers a vital area of road safety.

The Code is aimed at pupils as they travel between home and school whether by walking or cycling, by service bus or school bus, or by car. This is an area where the Government is taking the lead by encouraging and pursuing projects and policies which promote safer travel to school.

In 1997, 575 school children were involved in accidents on their way to or from school - that was a reduction from more than 600 in 1993, but still represents about 18 percent of the total casualty accidents involving children of school age. That number is far too high and everyone involved in road safety and education must play their part in reducing these figures. 1 am determined that we will cut this tragic toll.

Working in partnership is important in achieving this goal, and The Scottish Office was delighted to work with the SSBA in the preparation for the first edition of the Code. One of the real strengths of the booklet is that it is not just aimed at pupils, but also at parents, school staff and school bus operators. It recognises the safety of our children when travelling to school is a responsibility we must all share.

I applaud the SSBA for keeping this valuable Code up to date and welcome the sound advice it contains for all pupils, parents and teachers.

• Ways in which you (school staff, parents, students and pupils) as much as anyone, can play an important part in making the journey to and from school a safe, reliable and comfortable experience.
• Standards of service which the Scottish School Board Association (SSBA) expects from drivers and escorts of vehicles engaged on school transport.

by Calum MacDonald MP
Minister for Housing, Transport and European Affairs at the Scottish Office