A survey of Scottish schoolchildren suggests they are more concerned with how they look than being safe.

They are putting their lives at risk by worrying more about fashion than being easily seen when crossing busy roads, it is claimed.

High-visibility clothing is regarded as "uncool" by youngsters, according to the survey from road safety charity Brake.

Although 87% of the children surveyed agreed that wearing reflective clothes made them more visible to drivers, only 7% admitted to having put them on.

Campaigners say children need good advice

A total of 400 children aged 11-14 in Aberdeen were asked for their views.

It gets darker earlier in Aberdeen and the north of Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.

Last year in the UK, more than 2,000 children were killed or seriously injured after the clocks went back.

The most common complaint, given by 88% of children, was that high-visibility clothing "does not look cool in front of friends".

Reasons for not wearing reflectors

"I don't think I will get hit by a car" "Most clothes are reflective anyway" "If you show up more at night then you are more likely to get mugged" "I would get bullied if I wore sad clothes"

Mary Williams, chief executive of Brake, said: "It is worrying that children are not following road safety advice.

"Brake, the government, teachers and parents all have to do their bit by encouraging children to wear reflectors.

"Brake challenges clothing companies to design a range of high-visibility clothing that is trendy and affordable."

Of the 400 Aberdeen children questioned:

• 32% own a reflector, but of these only 18% wear it

• 87% agree drivers could see them more easily if they wore reflective material when walking

• Only 28% say they feel safer if they wear a reflector when walking

• Only 6% think wearing such clothing is cool.