ROAD safety charity Brake is today urging the Government to force local authorities to install 20mph zones around schools and homes.New figures released today reveal in Suffolk, 14 children were seriously injured while walking or cycling in the county.

ROAD safety charity Brake is today urging the Government to force local authorities to install 20mph zones around schools and homes.

New figures released today reveal in Suffolk, 14 children were seriously injured while walking or cycling in the county.

To coincide with the launch of Road Safety Week, Brake revealed the results of its national survey of schoolchildren.

It found eight out of 10 children in the East of England believe drivers should slow down near their homes and schools and a third (32 per cent) have been hit or nearly hit by a vehicle while walking.

Seven in ten (71pc ) say the roads around their schools are dangerous and a third (34pc) said they find it difficult to cross.

Chris Frost, education officer at Brake, said: “It's high time that we put the safety of our children first. We need the Government to invest in engineering measures like 20mph zones that make our communities safer and more family-friendly.

“We're also calling on the region's drivers to take responsibility for protecting children and making roads safer. Young lives can be saved by drivers making the simple commitment to slow down.”