FEWER than two in five drivers think it is safe for families to walk and cycle in most or all of their local area, according to a survey.

As many as 16 per cent of the drivers polled had a near-miss with someone on foot or bike in the past 12 months, the poll by road safety charity Brake and Churchill Insurance found.

Also, 62 per cent of the drivers worried about being hit by traffic when they were on foot in their local area.

Brake deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said: "It's vital we make our roads safer for families and people of all ages to walk and cycle, and drivers can help.

"It is unacceptable that five children are seriously injured or killed each day on our roads, and it is unacceptable to deny any child a healthy, active upbringing because of local dangers.

"Our survey reveals that drivers acknowledge the risks families face on roads - but we also need drivers to realise the difference they personally can make, and always drive as though a child could run out unexpectedly."

Figures issued separately by the Department for Transport showed road accidents are costing the economy almost £15 billion a year. With each death on the roads costing £1.74 million, the total cost of traffic accidents in Britain in 2013 was an estimated £14.7bn, according to figures from the Department for Transport.