The Green Cross Code

In 2007 an average of over 4 child pedestrians, aged 0 - 11 years, were killed or seriously injured every day in Britain.

The Green Cross Code is taught in schools but it is important that parents reinforce it at home and lead by example.

1. First find a safe place to cross


• If possible use a designated crossing point such as a zebra, puffin or pelican crossings or at crossing point controlled by a school crossing patrol
• Try to avoid crossing between parked cars and make sure there is space to reach the pavement on the other side.

2. Stop just before you get to the kerb


• Don't get too close to the traffic
• Give yourself lots of time to have a good look all around


3. Look all around for traffic and listen


• Look in every direction
• Listen carefully because you can sometimes hear traffic before you can see it

4. If traffic is coming, let it pass


• Look around again and listen
• Do not cross until there is a safe gap in the traffic and you are certain that there is plenty of time

5. When it is safe, go straight across the road - do not run


• Keep looking and listening for traffic while you cross in case there is any traffic you did not see, or in case other traffic appears suddenly.
• Look out for cyclists and motorcyclists travelling between lanes of traffic
• When it is safe, go straight across the road. Do not cross diagonally.