If I am responsible for my safety I should be allowed to carry a brick at all times.

A line I've used before is "It won't be your fault, but it will be your problem."

Pedestrians should be able to walk on the roads. It should be down to cars to not hit them. However, when they screw up. The car owner has a dented car, you have shatter bones and organs.

It's against the grain here, but my personal view is that all school kits should be given a family size pack of high Vis strap vests and taught the risks. It's amazing how effective an educated 8 year old can be at changing behaviours.