CBIT GloWeek: Shining a Light on Childhood Brain Injury and Staying Safe on the School Run

Childhood should be a time filled with learning, laughter, friendship and opportunity. But for some children and their families, a brain injury can change the course of their lives in an instant.

Child Brain Injury Trust GloWeek campaign provides an opportunity to shine a light on childhood brain injury, raise awareness of the challenges faced by affected families and recognise the importance of specialist support.

Behind every case is a person, a family and a life that may have changed significantly following an accident.

While not every brain injury is preventable, raising awareness of everyday safety risks is one practical way we can help protect children from harm.

And with families making the school run every morning and afternoon, road safety is an important place to start.

The school run: small habits can make a big difference

School mornings are often busy. Parents are rushing to work, children are thinking about their friends and lessons, and roads around schools can become congested with cars, buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

In that busy environment, it is easy to underestimate the risks.

Children are still developing their awareness of traffic, judging vehicle speeds and understanding how quickly a dangerous situation can unfold. Younger children, in particular, need active supervision and repeated reminders about safe behaviour near roads.

A few simple habits, reinforced consistently, can help make the school journey safer for everyone.

Your school run safety checklist

Use this checklist as a reminder for parents, carers and children. It can also be shared with schools, families and colleagues as part of CBIT GloWeek.

For parents and carers

• Allow extra time. Avoid rushing, which can lead to unsafe decisions near roads.
• Hold younger children’s hands. Keep them close to you near traffic, car parks and driveways.
• Choose a safe crossing point. Use a zebra, pelican or other appropriate crossing where available, and follow the signals.
• Stop, look and listen. Check in every direction and make sure traffic has stopped before crossing. At a junction, remember that vehicles may turn across your path.
• Put phones away. Give the road your full attention, rather than checking messages or taking calls.
• Park considerately. Avoid stopping on zigzag markings, across pavements, near junctions or where children cannot see approaching traffic.
• Use appropriate child restraints. Make sure children are secured in a suitable car seat or booster where required by law.
• Model safe behaviour. Children learn from what adults do, not just what we tell them.
• Talk about the route. Identify safe crossing points and potential hazards before setting off.
• Stay alert around school entrances. Watch carefully for children, cyclists and vehicles manoeuvring in busy drop-off areas.

For children

• Stop before the kerb. Never run straight into the road.
• Hold an adult’s hand if you are young or need help crossing safely.
• Look all around. Check for cars, bikes, buses and vehicles that might turn into your path.
• Listen carefully. Remove headphones and put away devices when crossing or walking near traffic.
• Use safe crossing places. Follow crossing signals and wait for traffic to stop.
• Never assume a driver has seen you. Make sure it is safe before stepping into the road.
• Avoid distractions. Do not chase a ball, run after a friend or play near moving vehicles.
• Stay visible. Bright or reflective clothing can help drivers see you in poor light, especially in autumn and winter.
• Walk, don’t run, near roads. Take your time, even if you are late.
• Tell a trusted adult if something feels unsafe. You never have to take a risk to keep up with friends.

A reminder for everyone: being familiar with a route does not make it risk-free. Traffic, weather, visibility and road conditions can change every day.

Why road safety belongs in the childhood brain injury conversation

A road traffic collision can have consequences that extend far beyond the initial incident. A traumatic brain injury may affect a child’s memory, concentration, behaviour, emotional wellbeing, education and development. Some effects may only become apparent as the child grows.

Families may face years of appointments, rehabilitation, educational adjustments and uncertainty about the future.

That is why awareness matters. We need to understand not only how childhood brain injuries can affect lives, but also how everyday decisions can help reduce risks wherever possible.

For personal injury professionals, this is a reminder that the work is about much more than legal processes. It is about understanding the human impact of injury, listening to families and recognising the support that children may need throughout their lives.

What can we do beyond GloWeek?

Awareness should not end when the week is over.

Parents can revisit their school run routine, schools can reinforce age-appropriate road safety education, and communities can encourage safer driving and more considerate parking around school entrances.

Employers and legal professionals can also use awareness initiatives to start conversations about accident prevention, child safety and the long-term impact of serious injuries.

Every safe crossing, every moment of supervision and every conversation about road safety is an opportunity to help a child make a safer choice.

Let’s shine a light and help keep children safe.

CBIT GloWeek is a reminder that behind every childhood brain injury is a child and a family whose story deserves to be heard.

By raising awareness, supporting families and promoting practical safety habits, we can help create a culture that takes childhood safety seriously.

We cannot eliminate every risk, and not every injury can be prevented. But we can take sensible steps to reduce avoidable dangers and make our roads safer for the children who use them every day.

This GloWeek, let’s do more than raise awareness. Let’s start conversations, share the school run safety checklist and help protect the futures of the children in our communities.

If your child has suffered a brain injury following a road traffic collision or another accident, our specialist serious injury team may be able to help. We understand the far-reaching impact a childhood brain injury can have on a child’s development, education and future, and we are committed to securing the support, rehabilitation and compensation families need. Contact our personal injury solicitors today on 0330 822 3451 for expert advice on your legal options.