Online game to help road safety

A new game to help reduce the number of child road deaths has just launched on the internet.

The Code of Everand, uses a virtual world to help teach and reinforce safe road skills for children making the transition from primary to secondary education.

In 2008, 17 children aged 10 to 12 were killed on Britain’s roads, with more than 2,500 injured.

Road Safety Minister Paul Clark stressed that it was important to continue to do everything possible to ensure children had the necessary skills to stay safe on the roads.

He said: “Today’s young people have access to more media than any before and their attitudes to communications have become much more sophisticated.  ‘The Code of Everand’ reflects this sophistication and by communicating with children through a medium they already enjoy using we hope to improve their understanding of the importance of safe road behaviour.”

Research has shown that children can develop skills such as logical thinking and planning in advance through playing computer games.

The game can be found at: www.codeofeverand.co.uk