More Sunderland children are hurt in serious car accidents
Between 2015 and 2017, there were 33 incidents in Sunderland – 22.8 in 100,000.
Across the country, 5,665 children were killed or seriously injured on the roads in 2016-18.
That is the highest level for five years, although it has fallen from 7,325 in 2008-10.
The Department for Transport warns some police forces have changed their definition of a serious injury, meaning national figures may not be comparable with previous years.
Road safety charity Brake said it was a "tragedy" that so many children are still hurt or killed on the roads.
A spokesman said: "Every child should have the right to be able to play out and walk or cycle to school in their community without fear of traffic and pollution.
"But many are unable to do so because of dangerous driving around schools and a lack of access to simple measures such as footpaths, cycle paths or safe places to cross.
"We need to see safer speeds, particularly around schools and on streets where children play, and greater investment in segregated cycle paths and footpaths to help keep children safe on our roads.”
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents head of road safety Nick Lloyd, said: "Walking to school provides excellent daily exercise, which should be encouraged and allows parents the opportunity to teach children road safety skills.
"There should also be a greater emphasis on schools providing pedestrian training in primary schools.”
A DfT spokeswoman said: “We’ve empowered local authorities to help deliver road safety measures and we’re using new technology and research to educate children about dangers on our roads.”