MOTORISTS stopped for irresponsible driving in a Chester village have faced the children who could have potentially become their victims.
After drivers were pulled over for speeding, not wearing seatbelts or using mobile phones, motorists were offered the opportunity to avoid fines or points on their licences by facing children from Waverton Community Primary School who were learning about keeping safe on the road.~
The day was part of a new road-safe scheme organised by Cheshire West and Chester Council safe and sustainable travel team, in partnership with Cheshire Police, Cheshire Fire and Rescue and the school.
The children confronted the drivers with some frank questions about why they had flouted the law while driving.
Following their grilling from the children, the drivers then watched a DVD featuring parents who had lost children in road safety collisions amongst other clips showing the consequences of irresponsible driving.
Cllr Lynn Riley said: “This is a new and innovative way of tackling the problem of careless driving and really helps to hit home the message that this type of action can affect lives.
“It is important that drivers realise the impact that their irresponsible driving has, not just on young children but on the wider community as a whole.
“Involving the children in this way highlights the human cost of breaking the law and was not an easy opt out for the motorists involved.”
As daunting as the motorists may have found their encounter with the children they gave positive feedback, commenting that they had found the experience useful and
informative.
Simon Talbot, headteacher at Waverton Primary, said: “The project has really helped the children to become aware of the community around them on another
level – they understand the roads that surround the area much better and the
potential risks.”
For more information on the scheme contact road safety unit at
roadsafety@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk