Speeding motorists have to answer to children as part of council campaign

SPEEDING motorists were given a stern talking to by primary school pupils as part of a district wide scheme to increase safety on our roads.

Clavering and Little Hallingbury Primary School’s Year 6 pupils stopped a total of 17 drivers after they were clocked speeding past the respective schools. They were then given the chance to question the motorists as to why they were speeding.

The students also made posters which they held to urge motorists to slow down.

Rosalind Allsop, Clavering’s headteacher, said: “Uttlesford District Council asked us if we would like to be a part of the scheme and we agreed because it is a great opportunity for the children.”

The event was organised by the district’s community safety partnership to encourage motorists to slow down and learn of the consequences of speeding. It came after the number of people killed or seriously injured on Uttlesford’s roads increased from none to eight in the last year.

Martin Ford, community safety officer, said: “The aim is to educate the public and raise awareness of the dangers of speeding. Speed is one of three major contributing factors to the severity of accidents – using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt are the others. It is not just about drivers though. We are also raising the children’s awareness to speed.”

He added: “While this operation is aimed at speed, if the police catch drivers not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone they will be dealt with.”

Any resident or parish that may be concerned about speeding can be trained by Essex Police to use the speed guns so they can then set up their own community speed watch group.

For information about the campaign or details on how to set up a speed watch group, call Mr Ford on 01799 510555.