School pupils discuss road safety

Constable Jamieson said, “We welcome the opportunity to speak to young people about road safety as it is an important subject, and one that if ignored could cost you your life. We all need to be aware of the potential dangers we face on the roads so that we can, as far as is practicable, take appropriate steps to prevent ourselves from being injured.

“I would actively encourage parents to take every opportunity to reinforce the road safety message and to explain to their children the importance of knowing the correct way to cross the road, how to use pedestrian crossings, and why you should always walk facing oncoming traffic in areas where there aren’t any footpaths, the reason why you should wear something bright and fluorescent after dark, why you need lights on your bicycle, and why you need to wear a seatbelt when travelling in a car.

“Parents are important role models and if they set a good example then there is a very good chance that their children will too. If travelling to and from school by car always wear your seatbelt and ensure your children are properly restrained as well before setting off. Other things that can have an equally positive affect include – reducing your speed when approaching a school, parking properly in a safe place on the same side of the road as the school so that young people can alight from the vehicle straight onto a footpath and so eliminate the risks associated with crossing the road.

“It is all too easy to become complacent about things we think are familiar to us, so please remember this - you ignore road safety advice at your peril,” concluded Constable Jamieson.*