THE number of children killed or injured in Hampshire while they were pedestrians has risen by by 17 per cent in just one year.

A new investigation by Personal Injury Claims UK (PICUK) analysed figures from 304 local authority districts across England, finding an overall rise of 16 per cent in the country.  

Road Accident specialist at PICUK, Mike Higgins, said: “No child should die as a pedestrian or indeed be injured in any way through no fault of their own."

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A total of 249 child pedestrian casualties were recorded across Hampshire, the latest figures from the Department for Transport show.

In 2021, the county recorded 115 casualties which rose to 134 the following year - an increase of 17 per cent.

Of the 18 local authority areas in the county, 78 per cent reported an increase in the number of child pedestrian casualties between 2021 and 2022. One area reported the same figures for both years.

Southampton recorded the highest number of such casualties, a total of 54 over two years. But the biggest increase was seen in New Forest where casualties soared by 75 per cent. The district reported eight child pedestrian deaths and injuries in 2021 which increased to 14 the following year.

Andover Advertiser: Pedestrian child casualty figures in HampshirePedestrian child casualty figures in Hampshire (Image: Personal Injury Claims UK)

Researchers at Personal Injury Claims UK found that a staggering 33,212 children were killed or injured on roads in England between 2021 and 2022, an average of 49 child road casualties every day.

The number of children (aged 0-15) who were killed or injured as pedestrians rose from 15,366 in 2021 to 17,846 in 2022, an increase of 16 per cent.

The total number of child pedestrian deaths and injuries in Hampshire between 2021/22 are as follows:

  • Basingstoke - 26
  • East Hampshire - 6
  • Eastleigh - 13
  • Fareham - 9
  • Gosport - 10
  • Hart - 4
  • Havant - 19
  • Isle of Wight - 18
  • New Forest - 22
  • Portsmouth - 42
  • Rushmoor - 10
  • Southampton - 54
  • Test Valley - 11
  • Winchester - 5

Out of 304 local authority district areas in England, 57 per cent recorded an increase in child fatalities and injuries caused by road vehicles. A total of 27 areas recorded the same figures for both years.

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Road Traffic Accident Specialist at Personal Injury Claims UK, Mike Higgins said: “These figures are extremely concerning. Children are particularly vulnerable to potential dangers on the roads. As a pedestrian, you are owed a duty of care from other road users including drivers and cyclists. 

"In cases where this duty of care has been breached, it can cause not only physical harm but psychological harm. No child should die as a pedestrian or indeed be injured in any way through no fault of their own. 

"We hope that these figures highlight the necessary concerns and spark action into ensuring that pedestrians, particularly children, are safe."

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport confirmed that figures are not currently available for the years 2023 and 2024. 

PersonalInjuryClaimsUK.org.uk are road traffic accident claims specialists who offer legal advice and support to anyone who has been harmed or injured as a pedestrian.