Marian Scott, road safety co-ordinator for Tayside Police, is calling upon all parents and carers of school-age youngsters, as well as all drivers, to take extra care.

And she is reminding everyone that children can be, at times, unpredictable and easily distracted - particularly on returning to school after the holidays.

Her concerns are well placed as a total of 15 schoolchildren were injured, one fatally, on Tayside's roads during the first four weeks after schools re-opened following the summer break in 2007.

Marian said: "I will be absolutely delighted if – in a few weeks time - we can say that no child was injured during the same period this time around.

"If the weather stays fair then perhaps more people will be coaxed from their cars to take the trip to school on foot. A little sunshine certainly helps to promote the environmentally friendly way of travelling to and from school – walking – to parents and pupils. And fewer vehicles at or around the school certainly helps from a road safety point of view.

"A walk to school is a great way of ensuring that you and your child are refreshed and ready to face the day ahead. It also gives mums and dads a chance to reinforce safe road practice with their children."

Parents and carers of children who travel by bus should make sure that their youngsters understand the need for safe behaviour whilst waiting for and travelling on the bus. Once they get off the vehicle, they need to know to wait until it has moved off before attempting to cross the road. Wherever possible, they should always use a safe crossing place.

Anyone taking children to school by car, must ensure they are suitably restrained and do not release their seat belt until the vehicle has safely stopped. It is recommended that children should get in and out of the vehicle at the pavement side.

Marian continued: "Drivers should remember that most schools around Tayside have an enforceable 20mph limit around them. They should choose their parking spot carefully - do not park on the zig-zag lines outside the school entrance - and be careful not to block driveways or other driver's views of the road, particularly when parking near to junctions.

"I would appeal to all pupils to cross with care and ask all drivers to slow down and pay attention - not just in the coming weeks, but at all times of the year.

"Their responsible behaviour can help us to make sure that that avoidable accidents and the trauma and heartbreak that goes with them are avoided."