Lossiemouth primary school pupils encouraging safer driving
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AN INITIATIVE launched by Lossiemouth primary school pupils is aiming to provide a solution to poor driving around schools.
Safer Crossings, an initiative organised by St Gerardine Primary School with help from Police Scotland, is aimed at coming up with a long term solution to poor driving practices around schools at pick up and drop off times, which they say put pupils, parents and staff at risk.
Police Scotland often use patrols and the issue of enforcement tickets around schools, but issues have continued to arise.
Safer Crossings is about the school community and Police Scotland coming together to explore creative ways of getting the message across to drivers that the manner of their driving influences the safety of school pupils.
Various initiatives will be implemented, including regular police patrols at drop off and pick up times, but officers will be accompanied by some of the Primary four pupils from St Gerardine. Drivers found to be speeding will be invited to complete a survey and educated directly by the pupils themselves as to the impact.
Further education of drivers in the form of letters, written by some of the pupils and parents detailing their feelings and views, will also be sent to vehicle owners where complaints have been received.
Pupils will also be busy creating posters which will be displayed around the school entrances.
PC Lisa MacIntyre said: "I'm delighted to be working closely with the school staff, pupils and parents and carers, and this this new approach will enable pupils to educate drivers on the impact of their actions.
"We want all children to be safe accessing the school and we hope this work will have a greater impact and see real improvements in driving practices around the school."
Stephanie Gibson, head teacher at St Gerardine, said: "We are delighted to be a part of this initiative and to be working closely with Police Scotland. We actively encourage our children and parents and carers to walk to school, so it is so important that the school community and our pupils are able to access the school safely."
The Safer Crossings initiative is being supported by local councillors and the community council who are fundraising for speed bumps to be created around the school.
