Where there are cars / or places where cars are likely to be my kids hand will be held. I make it a rule. Once I feel they are mature enough to make smart decisions and that they respect the road will i then revisit this rule.

Kids can be unpredictable, as can drivers and other road users. Many kids can't differentiate between a busy or quiet road; kids think differently to older people. Even if there are 'safe' crossing locations, I simply don't trust road users. I have had to pick up the pieces too many times through work.

Not to mention kids witness bad crossing behaviors demonstrated by older kids, adults etc and many will copy.