Drago the Dragon launches his new road safety book

Firefighters will read Edward Feild Primary School students 'Drago Learns About Road Safety' from 1.45pm on Tuesday 6 May at the Bicester Road school and also give pupils a talk about the importance of being road aware, which will include information about why it is so important to stop, look and listen before crossing a road.

Each child will then be presented with a copy of the book along with road safety advice for their parents. Under supervision the children will also mark a safe pedestrian route to their school with Drago's footprints.

Drago and Dolly

The new book's plot sees Drago and best friend Dolly excited on their way to school about an upcoming zoo trip. They see friends and rush into the road without looking, resulting in injury and a visit to hospital.

The new book will be available from county council libraries to borrow and to schools. It will also be distributed at events and talks organised by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Educating from an early age

Stuart Garner, Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service's Home and Community Safety Manager, and Mick Clarke, Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service's Road Safety Manager, will be at Edward Feild Primary for the book launch.

Mr Garner said: "It is vitally important to start educating children from an early age about all aspects of staying safe from the hazards presented by fires and roads, and our Drago the Dragon book series does just that.

"We have had excellent feedback from parents and youngsters about our Drago the Dragon books - knowledge, skills and attitudes children learn during their early years tend to influence their future activities and decisions about how to remain safe as possible."

Education in a fun child-friendly way

Drago the Dragon was created to help educate local youngsters about how to be more fire and road safe in a fun, colourful and attractive way. So far he has appeared in three books.

There is also a Drago section on the 365alive website containing safety tips and activities for a younger audience including colouring sheets, games, masks and puppets.

365alive is a programme designed to help prevent incidents through education.

Footsteps

Parents are also being encouraged by the Fire and Rescue Service to take their children to the roadside for practical training, allowing youngsters to make their own decisions and what they see and hear via questioning.

Advice on how to do this is available through Footsteps, a guide for parents produced by the county council road safety team. Free copies are available from schools and via 365alive.

Mr Clarke said: “I would like to encourage parents when they are out walking with their child to ask questions about what they are seeing and hearing at the roadside. Your journey may take a little longer but the roadside is the only place your child can learn to develop their skills.”

“Ask your child to choose a good place to cross the road and ask why they have made that decision.  If your child forgets or does something wrong, encourage them by giving them hints and ask them questions so they can work out what they should be doing.”

Number of road accidents in Oxfordshire involving children

The top five causes of child pedestrian road traffic collision casualties are:

1. Pedestrian failed to look properly
2. Crossed, masked by stationary/parked vehicle  (driver doesn’t see a pedestrian as they are masked from view by a stationary or parked vehicle)
3. Careless/Reckless/In a hurry
4. Pedestrian failed to judge vehicles path or speed
5. Stationary or parked vehicle (where a pedestrian steps out between a stationary or parked vehicle).