Speeding lesson for pupils
Shirland Primary School youngsters with PC Phil Parkin, PC Rachel March and PCSO Gary Green.
Speeding was in the spotlight as pupils joined police to carry out checks outside their school.
Pupils from schools in Morton and Shirland had a chance to speak to motorists about safe driving.
Officers from the North Wingfield, Pilsley, Stonebroom and Shirland Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out checks outside the primary schools last week.
Any drivers found breaking the limits on Main Road in Morton and Park Lane in Shirland, where the schools are located, were stopped and given the option of speaking to the youngsters about their speed.
Youngsters at Morton Primary School also handed motorists a leaflet they had designed to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding.
PC Phil Parkin of the North Wingfield, Pilsley, Stonebroom and Shirland Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Teachers, parents and pupils at both schools have recently told us they are concerned about speeding motorists passing the schools and putting safety at risk.
“By carrying out this initiative we really hope to raise awareness of the issue and encourage motorists to slow down.”
Kim Buxton, Headteacher at Shirland Primary School, said: “The initiative has really involved the children in helping with a local issue, and has raised their own awareness of road safety.
“Our thanks and gratitude go to the policing team for their help to raise awareness and to deliver a strong message about the risks of speeding. I hope that it will encourage drivers to slow down as they pass our schools.”
The initiative involved a mixture of year 5 and year 6 pupils, aged between 9 and 11 years old and the checks took place on Monday, November 26, Tuesday, November 27 and Wednesday, November 28.
Traffic was counted by the pupils at both schools as part of a project, which showed that over the three, one hour long checks, a total of 826 vehicles passed both schools and 37 vehicles were stopped for speeding.
PC Parkin added: “We had a positive response from drivers, who often don’t realise how fast they were travelling, but were supportive of the initiative and thought it was a great way to get the message across of how speeding can affect other members of the community.
“The youngsters also enjoyed the project and were very sensible. We hope to work with the schools again in the not too distant future.”
The North Wingfield, Pilsley, Stonebroom and Shirland Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team are currently targeting speeding vehicles in the area as a priority.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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