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Advice for parents and families

How to make safe and healthy journeys when travelling with children

A man, woman, and two children are cycling. They are on a wide forest track, with no traffic, and are wearing helmets.

A child's safety will always be a top priority for any parent or carer. Keeping children safe near roads is vital because road traffic injuries are the biggest cause of death among young people worldwide, and six children are killed or seriously injured on roads every day in the UK. At Brake we believe that every child has the right to make safe and healthy journeys where they live, without fear of danger from traffic.

Every day
6 children
are killed or seriously injured on roads in the UK

As children get older, they use roads in different ways. These pages give simple advice on keeping children safe near roads, from birth to when they become independent road users.

Whether you are travelling on foot, by car, by bike, or with a buggy or pushchair, it's vital to keep children as safe as possible near roads. Follow the links below to find out how.

You'll also find top tips for how to follow road safety rules when on a trip or a holiday and how to ensure your child travels safely on trips organised by their school or nursery.

Brake's top tips for keeping children safe near roads

  • Children under 8 should always hold a grown up's hand when walking near roads
  • Children under 8 should always cross roads with a grown up, at a safe crossing place
  • Until they are 150cm tall, all children should sit in a correctly sized and fitted child seat when travelling by car
  • Children under 10 should not cycle on roads, they should keep to cycle paths away from motorised traffic
  • Children should always wear a helmet when cycling to protect their head if they fall off
A man leans into the back seat of a car to buckle his child into their car seat.

In your car

Important steps that parents and families can take to protect children when travelling by car

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A young child is stood on a bus, holding his mother's hand. There are three other people behind them on the bus.

School trips and family holidays

Keeping children safe near roads on school trips and family holidays

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An adult woman walks along a pavement, holding hands with her two children. They are near a pedestrian crossing, which shows a red light, telling them not to cross the road.

Walking with children

Walking is a great way to spend time with children and talk about important road safety issues

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A woman wearing a high visibility vest is crossing the road with two children in a pushchair. They are on a quiet residential road.

Using buggies and pushchairs

Top tips for using buggies and pushchairs safely near roads

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Six children cycling on an off-road path on a sunny day.

Cycling with children

Advice for parents and families about how to stay safe when cycling with children

Read more
References and further reading Down arrow icon to open accordion

Road accidents and safety statistics, Department for Transport