GEM Motoring Assist, the not for profit organisation concerned with the safety of all road users, says that every school in the United Kingdom should adopt a new ‘uniform’ for the autumn and winter months of brilliant fluorescent orange.
GEM, formally known as the Guild of Experienced Motorists, says the Government reticence to keep British Summer Time all year long is causing deaths and hundreds of injuries to youngsters on their way home from school on dark murky autumn and winter afternoons and this is the basis for the orange ‘uniform’ argument. Chief Executive of GEM, David Williams, explained: “Bright orange tabards or over vests are very inexpensive items these days and make a real visibility difference.
Parents and school staff should check they are worn over jumpers, blazers and coats when children and young adults set off on their way home after school or college – tired but full of fun.
Well I could not agree more. My children get the bus to and from school and it is only a matter of weeks before they come home at the normal time of 4.00 pm and it is dark.
The problem is convincing the children that this new attire it ‘totally cool’ with so many being extremely fashion conscious as such an early age. I guess if all children wear it then this argument becomes insignificant.
Jackie Violet- female First