Road Safety Offices from Blackburn with Darwen Casualty Reduction Team have been working with volunteers from local community groups including police community support officers, local colleges, school governors, teachers and welfare staff to deliver a 12 week programme to pupils to teach them how to cross the roads safely. Volunteers taught pupils how to look for safe places to cross, how to cross between parked cars and crossing at a variety of junctions.

Capita Symonds acted as the council’s road safety partner helping to deliver the programme. Jan Hanlon, a Team Leader from Capita Symonds  said “We cannot underestimate the importance of road safety skills amongst young people. Pedestrian Training teaches them how to deal with different situations and allows them to practise in a real life setting.’ Since the project started back on 2002 it has now been delivered to over 40 schools within the Borough, training 5,500 children. Those students who complete the training are awarded with certificates and high visibility jackets to keep them safe.

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, added "It is important that children understand the dangers of the road from an early age and know how to keep safe in the modern world, particularly with the large number of cars on the road"