As the clocks go back and the evenings draw in, the risks on our roads rise – especially for children. It’s a sobering fact that over 19,000 pedestrians were injured in road collisions last year, and 409 tragically lost their lives. Children aged 16 and under made up 11% of all casualties, with many incidents happening during the darker hours of the day.
At Howden Insurance, we believe no child should be part of these statistics. That’s why we’re doing our bit to help make sure you stay bright, seen and streetwise this winter. Keep reading to find out how.
But we’ve also done our research to discover where the UK’s most dangerous areas for child pedestrians are – and the results might surprise you! Using government collision and casualty data from 2015–2024, we ranked locations by the number of child pedestrian casualties per 100,000 children.
The danger zones
These are the places where children are most at risk on the roads:
- Westminster – 141.45 child pedestrian casualties per 100,000 children
- Thanet – 103.55
- Lambeth – 89.01
- Blackpool – 85.74
- Liverpool – 85.48
In Westminster, children make up just 11.1% of all pedestrian casualties – but the overall rate is the highest in the country. Thanet, on the other hand, sees 41.8% of all pedestrian casualties involving children. That’s nearly half.
Other high-risk areas include Hyndburn, North East Lincolnshire, and Blackburn with Darwen, where children account for over 40% of pedestrian casualties.
| Rank | Location | Percentage of child pedestrian casualties | Total pedestrian casualties (per 100,000, per year) | Adult pedestrian casualties (per 100,000 adults, per year) | Child pedestrian casualties (per 100,000 children, per year) |
| 1 | Westminster | 11.1% | 181.38 | 188.00 | 141.45 |
| 2 | Thanet | 41.8% | 50.11 | 36.55 | 103.55 |
| 3 | Lambeth | 20.9% | 69.20 | 65.36 | 89.01 |
| 4 | Blackpool | 37.2% | 46.26 | 36.35 | 85.74 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 28.8% | 57.10 | 50.35 | 85.48 |
| 6 | Hyndburn | 43.0% | 44.85 | 33.03 | 85.38 |
| 7 | North East Lincolnshire | 43.8% | 39.08 | 27.77 | 81.74 |
| 8 | Nottingham | 30.2% | 56.18 | 49.51 | 81.64 |
| 9 | Blackburn with Darwen | 40.2% | 51.25 | 41.25 | 80.14 |
| 10 | Hastings | 34.0% | 46.37 | 38.12 | 79.84 |
| 11 | Kensington and Chelsea | 13.0% | 95.56 | 98.47 | 79.80 |
| 12 | Camden | 14.2% | 87.95 | 90.11 | 76.82 |
| 13 | Preston | 34.9% | 48.38 | 40.51 | 75.91 |
| 14 | Haringey | 22.4% | 67.77 | 65.98 | 74.75 |
| 15 | Kingston upon Hull | 37.8% | 44.77 | 36.01 | 74.70 |
Spotted your town? Here’s what to do next.
If you live in one of these areas, it’s time to take action. And even if your town didn’t make the top 15, the risks are still real.
Across the UK, pedestrian safety is still a big concern, especially for children. Shorter days and darker evenings make visibility a real challenge, particularly when kids are walking home from school or after-school clubs.
Even busy city centres like Westminster show us that high foot traffic doesn’t always mean high safety. It’s not just about councils and crossings, it’s about communities, families, and small changes that make a big difference.
Top tips for staying safe
Whether you’re walking to school, heading to the park, or popping to the shops, visibility is key. Here’s how to help your child stand out:
- Add reflectors to coats and bags
- Choose bright clothing
- Stick to well-lit routes
- Practice safe crossing
- Lead by example
Stick it. Wear it. Be seen.
To help families stay safe this winter, Howden branches across the UK are giving away free Street Wise owl stickers. These fun, reflective companions are designed to stick onto coats, bags, or bikes – making kids more visible to drivers.
They come in a range of colours, so children can choose their favourite. And they’re completely free.
Pop into your local Howden Insurance branch to collect yours. No forms. No fuss. Just a simple way to help your child stay safe. Let’s light up the streets, one bright owl at a time!
Sources: GOV.UK
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This is a marketing blog by Howden Insurance.