FIVE Worcester children were hit by vehicles in four years, analysis of official figures has revealed.

Campaigners say more should be done to educate youngsters about road safety after thousands of child pedestrians across Great Britain were hurt or killed in incidents between 2017 and 2020.

Analysis of Department for Transport figures by insurance company Churchill reveals that during that period, five children were hit by a vehicle in Worcester.

Churchill analysed 600,000 accidents nationwide since the start of 2017 of which 10,100 involved primary school aged children, around seven a day.

While none of the incidents in Worcester resulted in serious injuries, primary aged children made up 5 per cent of the total casualties recorded by the DfT.

Churchill’s analysis also found that 2,900 accidents happened during school pick-up and drop off times, including once in Worcester.

Kirsty Hoad, from Churchill, said the figures highlighted the importance of teaching road safety to children as early as possible.

She added: "With more than half of primary school children walking or cycling to school, this is one obvious area where children will need to know how to stay safe.

"We encourage everyone to take an active role in educating young children in their lives about road safety."

She also advised motorists to take extra care near schools and said speed restrictions were in place to protect children and should be observed at all times.

Meanwhile, Rod Dennis from the RAC has called for more 20mph zones to be introduced around schools, saying physical traffic calming measures also played a part in making streets safer.

Mr Dennis added: "There is also a clear onus on drivers who use the car to drop off or pick up their children to think about their driving."

The coronavirus pandemic saw traffic levels fall across the country in 2020, with road traffic accidents dropping as a result – those involving child casualties decreased from around 2,600 in 2019 to 1,750 last year.

A Department for Transport spokesman said any death on the road is "completely unacceptable."

They added: “We have already invested billions of pounds in safe active travel schemes and cleaner transport infrastructure.

"We’ve also recently announced changes to the Highway Code, meaning those who present the most risk to other road users are given the greatest responsibility in creating a safer travel environment for all.”