Police advice on summer safety

Jul 1 2009 by Stephen Robertson, Stirling Observer Wednesday

POLICE are urging school pupils to stay safe during their summer holidays and are hoping that advice and training given to them recently will be kept in mind.

For the past four weeks, community officers in Clackmannanshire have been heavily involved in their summer initiative, Stay Safe, raising awareness of road safety issues with motorists, children and parents.

Leading the initiative, community constable Alison Waddell said: “During this period most primary schools in Clackmannanshire have been visited by community officers with over 3000 school children being educated in road safety.

“High profile patrols by community constables, community traffic wardens and Clackmannanshire Council community wardens have been present outside all Clackmannanshire primary schools at peak times. Several drivers and parents have been advised with regards to illegal and inconsiderate parking.”

Motorists were also targeted, with 138 alleged offences detected in Clackmannanshire since June 1. Failing to wear seatbelts, speeding, using a mobile phone whilst driving, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance were some of those detected.

Clackmannanshire Council community wardens also put 171 children through the Ready Steady Bike cycle awareness training during the same period.

Constable Waddell said: “All of the schools, children and parents have been very receptive and appreciative of the presence of the police and wardens outside the schools and the work that has been done to remind the children of the importance of road safety.

“Since the start of the initiative there have been no road collisions involving children. This is something we wish to sustain throughout the school holidays. We want to ensure the children have a great holiday and return to school in August after a safe summer.”

Constable Waddell added: “This initiative will be reinforced on the return to school in August when parents and drivers of primary school children will again be reminded of the importance to be a courteous driver and not to park illegally or inconsiderately outside schools.”