Parenting

Insurance companies know all about how different people pose different risks. Sometimes, they will refuse cover for drivers under twenty-five, especially if they are male, aggressive and impulsive. Girls of this age are always a safer bet, but in both sexes there are a few high-risk individuals with an accident-prone temperament. Research into accident proneness has often looked at bus drivers, comparing those who arrive safely with those who bump things along the way. As always it is the impulsive temperament that causes most trouble. The fast-moving drivers are useful when running late, but for safe arrival the calm, reflective temperament is the winner.

Meanwhile, away from the bus depot, an impulsive temperament leaves some children an accident waiting to happen. I see impulsive children with repeated fractures or following several near-death experiences. One mother wrote about her son: 'Our son has just had his seventeenth birthday. I never thought he would live this long. At two years he climbed to the top of a tall wardrobe and took his grandfather's heart tablets. He was rushed to hospital.

At three years he released the handbrake on our car. This careered down our steep drive. The car overturned. Our son had one small bruise; the car was less lucky.

At four years he hit our neighbor's beehive with a large stick. He liought they were blowflies. He only had two stings; the neighbor who went to his aid was not so fortunate.'

So how can we help the impulsive child who shoots from the hip?

- An impulsive temperament is often inherited from an impulsive dad or mum (usually dad). Clever children should choose their parents with great care.

Child safety must always be the first priority. Take special care with the crossing of roads, supervise closely and have strict rules about bike riding.

- Teach the traffic light technique of 'Stop. Think. Go.' (slow the pace, then encourage them to reflect for a moment, then act). It sounds very simple but it is a challenge when children are all go and no stop.

- Accident proneness is a classic symptom of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). If the child is found to be suffering from ADHD and is successfully treated, they will be much safer.

Bike riding

When I was young everyone either walked or rode their bike to school. The handful that was driven by car were seen as feeble, spoiled children. Today things have changed: it is the riders to school who are risk takers and the odd ones out.

Bikes can give children a great release for pent-up energy as well as freedom and mobility. We usually remove trainer wheels when the child is about five years old, but children continue to need close supervision until eight or nine years. It's important to have rules in place right from the start. Before purchasing a bike have a strict set of rules that everyone agrees on. 'No rules, no bike.'

- Have clear rules about helmets, stopping at intersections, crossing main roads and areas that are off limits.

- Have rules about care of the bike, locking and putting it away at night.

- Notice and reinforce safe riding.

- Teach about safe braking and keep brakes serviced.

- Teach about the dangers of bags carried on the handlebars that can catch in the front wheel.

- Supervise when children are challenging their friends on jumps, ramps and riding through the air.

- When rules are disregarded, lock up the bicycle for a week and don't debate or argue your actions.

- Bike ride as a family. This is good for children and helps unfit adults avoid heart attacks.

- If you worry about bicycles, wait until they start driving your car!