Insurer More Than says staggering school times could cut deaths

Motor accidents during peak periods cause almost 7,000 deaths and injuries each year, including 200 child deaths, the insurance firm More Than claimed.

Its study found that "school runs" have risen by 20% in the past decade.

More Than said cutting their number by 10% would prevent 190 deaths, adding that government plans to stagger school start times could also cut road deaths.

Researchers said government plans to spread the school run from 7am to 10am instead of 8am to 9am would prevent up to 300 deaths and serious injuries a year.

The key is to encourage travelling to schools by bus or on foot rather than relying on the car. David Pitt, More Than

Currently more than 12% of drivers travelling during the 8am to 9am rush hour period are taking children to school; about 40% of primary school children and 20% of secondary school pupils are driven to school every day.

David Pitt, head of motor insurance at More Than, said: "The school run has taken over the rush hour, creating congestion and increasing the chances of having an accident.

"It's easy to understand why more children are being driven to school.

"Today's parents are busier than ever, and concerned about the safety of their children yet the resulting increase in traffic may actually be making the situation more dangerous.

"The key is to encourage travelling to schools by bus or on foot rather than relying on the car.

Reduce congestion

Mr Pitt added that the School Transport Bill, which was unveiled by the government in October, was an "innovative" way of tackling the problem.

The bill aims to encourage children to cycle or walk to school and reduce road congestion by staggering school start times.

Councils would also be allowed to charge for home-to-school transport.

The research was carried out in accordance with the Centre for Economic and Business Research, which analysed Department of Transport figures.