News & Star Tuesday, June 2, 200922 www.newsandstar.co.uk44
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Children take
vital steps
S
choolchildren across the
county were out in force
last month as they
ignored the threat of rain
to take part in National Walk to
School Week.
Congestion, pollution and
danger outside schools are all
increased during the school run
but getting into the habit of
walking will help to reduce all of
these and bring personal benefits
as well.
Kingmoor Infants School in
Carlisle was one of 74 schools
taking part in Cumbria this year,
nine more than last year.
The lack of parking outside the
school means that walking is the
easiest option for many families.
The Greenup family walk to the
school every day from Swinburn
Drive.
"It is quicker to walk," said
mum Andrea.
"There is no parking near the
school and the children enjoy
walking and cycling.
"They don't mind if the weather
isn't good."
Mum Siobhan Machin and
Jessica, eight, and Ailish, four,
enjoy walking to school because
of the health benefits.
Siobhan said: "We try to walk
when we can and it is good to
make an effort to walk during
Walk to School Week."
Although many parents already
walk with their children to school
throughout the year, the annual
Walk to School Week, which this
year took place from May 18 to
22, is a good way of getting
parents and children to consider
the way they travel every day.
Chris Wills, of Better Ways to
School, said: "It is all about
breaking the habit of driving.
"There is so much enthusiasm
for taking part in the week in
Cumbria. For some people it is a
taster of what could be an
everyday situation.
"Sometimes there can be
apprehension about road safety
but this gives people the chance
to try walking to school.
"The week is all about positive
spirit and people enjoying doing
something healthy together.
"For those people who have no
choice but to use the car for a
substantial part of the journey we
encourage them to drive for part
of the way and then walk."
Choosing to walk instead of
using the car will help to reduce
the amount of carbon emissions.
Cars consume most fuel and
pollute more at the start of their
journey when the engine is cold,
therefore, walking for short
journeys will reduce the amount
of CO2 emissions by a
disproportionate amount.
The average drive to school and
back releases 800g of C02 into
the air � enough to inflate more
than 60 balloons � and walking to
school once a week can save 20
per cent of CO2 gas produced by
driving every day.
Mr Wills said: "By walking
regularly you are doing something
that is good for the environment
and for yourself.
"The pressure walking to school
takes off the road system is so
great.
"It is something that is good for
the road system as well as
people's health and welfare.
"Even on a rainy day it can be
fun."
For those children who have to
be driven to Kingmoor Infants the
school organises a special walk at
lunchtime around the perimeter
of the school.
Sharon McGaffin, headteacher
at Kingmoor Infants School, said:
"We don't want any of the
children to feel that they are
missing out and we want to
encourage them so that they can
experience the health benefits of
walking."
Be the best driver possible
IF THERE is no option other than
to drive your children to school
then there are still steps you can
take to help the environment and
make driving safer for yourself
and your passengers.
Car sharing is becoming
increasingly popular for workers
and parents taking their children
to school.
By taking other children in your
car who would normally be driven
to school you are helping to
reduce carbon emissions and
congestion during the school run.
Better Ways To School is
encouraging parents who drive
children to school to gain more
confidence by improving their
driving skills.
Almost all road crashes are
caused by or involve human error.
The Advanced Driving Test is a
recognised standard and research
has found that advanced drivers
are 25 per cent less likely to be
involved in an accident.
The test can be taken through
the Institute of Advanced
Motorists (IAM) and the Royal
Society for the Prevention of
Accidents (RoSPA), who are
dedicated to raising driving
standards and reducing the
number of collisions on our roads.
Senior road safety officer David
Kelly is an IAM and RoSPA
advanced driver and this year is
president vice chair of the Penrith
and North Lakes IAM group.
He said: "Most drivers take
their driving test and then the
standard of their driving drops.
"Every time you get into a
vehicle it is like a loaded shotgun
so anything you can do is going to
be of benefit.
"We all pick up bad habits when
we are driving and through the
advanced driving you will be
coaxed into improving your skills
and getting them right. People
who have passed the Advanced
Driving Test are less likely to be
involved in accidents or have
endorsements on their licence."
The Advanced Driving Test,
using the principles pioneered by
the Metropolitan Police, lasts for
about 90 minutes and involves
driving on all types of road.
Skills such as road positioning,
doing all the necessary cockpit
checks, safety, knowledge of the
Highway Code and road signs are
checked, and you may be asked to
provide a commentary about the
road conditions and what is
happening on the road to show
that you are looking far enough
ahead.
The IAM offers a `Skills for Life'
package which enables drivers to
prepare for the Advanced Driving
Test.
This package is the most
popular IAM membership option
and includes everything you need
to pass your Advanced Driving
Test, including the book How to be
an Advanced Driver, a tri-annual
membership magazine, an initial
assessment, all test preparation
work, entry into the Advanced
Driving Test and IAM associate
status which is automatically
upgraded to full membership if
you pass the test within 12
months.
As well as demonstrating that
you are an advanced motorist, the
other advantages of being an IAM
member include discounts on
breakdown assistance, car hire,
windscreen replacement and
airport parking.
There are three IAM groups in
Cumbria � Penrith the North
Lakes, Kendal and South Lakes
and Carlisle.
RoSPA also offers an Advanced
Driving Test.
Spotlight on
pedal power
NATIONAL Bike Week takes
place from June 13 to 21 and
this year thousands of people
are expected to turn out to
special events or simply to
cycle to school or work.
The week aims to promote
cycling as a source of fitness
and fun and there will be
events taking place locally
during the week for cyclists
of all abilities and ages.
Among them is a mass ride
around Carlisle city centre on
Saturday, June 13 setting off
from the Sheepmount playing
fields and ending up in
English Street in the city
centre where events have
been arranged. These include
a bicycle-powered cinema,
information stalls and the
police will be attending to
give advice about bike
security. The event is being
organised by Cycle Carlisle.
For more information and
to find out about other
events visit
www.bikeweek.org.uk.
If you are planning your
own event during National
Bike Week, please tell us all
about your plans. Send
details to emma.morley@
cngroup.co.uk.
Best feet forward: Kingmoor Infants taking a lunchtime walk,
led by Innogen Kelly and Ben Pitkeathly JONATHAN BECKER
Setting a good example: Cumbria County Council and Carlisle
City Council officers encouraging drivers to car-share

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