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PLEA TO SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC
Students from St. Bede's College, Whalley Range, took part in a hard-hitting anti-speeding initiative today, asking motorists who passed their school to think about the safety of the children and slow down.
Manchester Council Road Safety Unit, DRIVESAFE and police officers were at the school on Alexandra Road South during the event, stopping motorists seen to be ignoring the speed limit. These drivers were then offered the choice of taking a fixed penalty of three points and £60 fine, or participating in a hard-hitting presentation inside the school.
Once the speeders were gathered in the classroom, one student took a few minutes to tell those who opted for the presentation how frightened she felt when vehicles drove too fast past the school, as 3 years earlier she had been knocked down by a speeding motorist as she crossed the road outside the school entrance. Other speakers were from Manchester City Council’s road safety team, the school crossing patrol, Greater Manchester Police and Roadpeace, who took over to further explain to these motorists how selfish driving has affected their life.
Claire Wightman, spokesperson for DRIVESAFE states, ‘St. Bede’s Primary was highlighted to us by Manchester City Council Road Safety Unit, who regarded it as a particular danger zone, with it being surrounded by roads with fast flowing traffic. We hope that by reminding the motorists of the devastation that can be caused by selfish driving, they will remember the stories they have heard when driving their cars in the future.
Mr. Joe Bowden, Senior Master at St. Bede’s says; ‘We are delighted to have been approached with this proactive speed awareness initiative. The safety of our pupils is obviously of paramount importance to us and we welcome any kind of activity that promotes road safety. Alexandra Road South is a particular worry of ours and hopefully this session will help raise our concerns to those who use this road and they will change their behaviour accordingly.’
Sgt Dean Memory of the Casualty Reduction Unit at GMP stated; ‘In the past three years in Manchester Council area alone there have been five children killed and over 1,100 injured in collisions with a vehicle. I hope that the drivers who attended the presentation will reflect upon the tragic consequences of a child being killed or injured on the roads, and in future will slow down and drive at a safe speed, especially near schools’.
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