Look out for your mates

Twenty young football stars from five top London Clubs lent their support to Transport for London’s latest road safety campaign to reduce the number of young teenagers killed or seriously injured (KSI) on London roads.

Players from Chelsea, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Wimbledon Academies posed with their teammates to remind teenagers ‘Look out for your mates’.  Arsenal also provided ample support in their recent programme.

Three hundred and sixty seven young people (aged between 13 and 19) were killed or seriously injured in the Capital in 2008. Young teenagers are more likely to be involved as a pedestrian in a road collision than any other age group. Boys and young people from deprived background are particularly vulnerable.

Football Academies are vital to the lifeblood of the sport and are established across the country. The London clubs are well aware of the influence that football has on young boys.

As part of TfL’s ongoing road safety campaign posters featuring young people lying on the road as a result of a road collision are already visible across the Capital to ensure the message reaches as many young people as possible.

Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London's Director of Transport Policy, said: “Young footballers are idolised by thousands of teenagers and it is fantastic that they are taking part in this important campaign. Their involvement is a great way of ensuring more young people will take the time to consider how they can use roads more safely and will help to save lives.”

As part of TfL’s ongoing road safety campaign posters that feature young people lying on the road as a result of a road collision are already visible across the Capital to ensure the message reaches as many young people as possible.

Chris Lines, Head of TfL Road Safety Unit, said: “Every day a teenager is killed or seriously injured on London roads. While this number is steadily falling, one injury is still one too many.

“We value the support of young people who play an important role today. Their support is an alternative way of communicating our message to teenagers in their own environment.  

“This campaign is designed to get teenagers talking about road safety in schools. This year Transport for London is spending £57m on further safety measures on the capital’s roads.”