In a worrying incident recently captured on CCTV, a driver narrowly missed a group of children crossing the road in Edinburgh, amplifying growing concerns over road safety in the area. The event unfolded on 1 June 2025, when three children were making their way across Arkaig Gardens. While a red car halted to let them pass, a black vehicle sped past, barely missing the last child as they crossed. This alarming moment was not just a singular event but rather a reflection of deepening safety issues in the neighbourhood, as highlighted by local residents.

Bogdan Adamczyk, a parent who witnessed the incident, voiced his frustration about the increasing occurrences of reckless driving in the area. He noted that many motorists are using the estate as a shortcut, resulting in a culture of speeding and dangerous driving. Adamczyk stated, “Most worryingly, a near-miss involving a child was recently caught on video, only millimetres from what could have been a fatal accident.” He emphasized that the dangers are not merely anecdotal but are increasingly felt by parents, children, and elderly residents alike, who find themselves intimidated by the traffic conditions.

The community's concerns about road safety are echoed across Edinburgh. For instance, a mother recently raised alarms about an inadequately marked crossing on Old Dalkeith Road, emphasising the lack of signage and lights, which has led to multiple near-misses with vehicles, including a lorry. Such incidents underscore the pressing need for improvements to pedestrian infrastructure throughout the city.

Meanwhile, parents at South Morningside Primary School are advocating for urgent measures following a near-fatal incident where an eight-year-old boy was struck by a van on Comiston Road. This busy route is frequently travelled by children on their way to school, prompting calls for enhanced pedestrian crossings, speed bumps, and better signage to protect vulnerable road users.

The urgent calls for road safety are not just limited to local anecdotes. Reports of dangerous driving behaviours have surfaced in other areas of Edinburgh, including an alarming incident where a motorist was caught on video speeding at 82 mph on Saughton Road North. Such reckless actions prompt questions about the effectiveness of existing traffic regulations and the need for stricter enforcement.

Further complicating the landscape of road safety are controversial cases of aggressive driving. One instance involved a driver colliding intentionally with a “lollipop man”—a crossing guard intended to protect school children—as part of a fit of impatience. This incident, met with public outrage, resulted in charges against the driver for assault.

The issue of road safety in Edinburgh is compounded by broader societal concerns, including a call from a Scottish judge for mandatory cognitive testing for drivers over 80, following a tragic accident involving an elderly driver. This proposal underscores the systemic problems surrounding driver safety and accountability in light of increasing road incidents that have grave consequences.

As Edinburgh prepares for a school extension that will likely increase traffic, the community faces a precarious scenario. There is a growing consensus that immediate action is necessary to ensure the safety of all pedestrians, especially children, who are disproportionately affected. The incidents serve as grave reminders that it is crucial to address road safety proactively to avoid potential tragedies.

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Source: Noah Wire Services