Back in March we reported that Children from Hayes Primary School took to the streets as part of the Junior Roadwatch Scheme, an initiative designed to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding in local communities.
We’ve just been given an update on the exercise which we wanted to share.
The scheme was a result of a suggestion from the Kenley Community Advisory Group for a speed awareness campaign or educational piece to inform local drivers of the risks associated with speeding.
What is the scheme?
Junior Roadwatch gives primary school children the opportunity to take part in speed awareness engagement in their local community near their school. Children work with Police Officers to educate speeding motorists on the importance of road danger reduction. School children, with members of teaching staff and Police Officers, (all in high-vis jackets) stand at a location agreed in advance between the police and school.
- A Police Officer trained in speed gun enforcement identifies motorists travelling over national police guidelines by using handheld speed detection equipment.
- Speeders are stopped by the officer, who carries out a PNC (Police National Computer) check on the driver. Providing the driver is suitable, they are given two options:
- Receive the enforcement option and get reported for speeding
or
- Receive an educational road safety message from the children. If educational option is chosen, the driver will then be introduced to the children, who will ask the driver some questions around the reason they were speeding and the possible implications of their action
- If the driver is travelling at 35mph+ in a 20mph zone or 46mph+ in a 30mph zone they will be reported for speeding and will not be given the educational option.
Results:
- Please click here to watch a video of the activity in action: Junior Roadwatch visits Hayes School in Croydon (this video has been prepared by the Council’s comms team and was posted on Croydon Council social media in April). Please feel free to share within your local community groups.
- The activity took place 9am to 12.30pm with Year 5 students from Hayes Primary (multiple groups went out at different times)
- The group were monitoring traffic on Hayes Lane coming from the direction of Park Road.
- 16 drivers were stopped for speeding.
- There was a varied range of drivers who were stopped for speeding (age, profession).
- The highest speed recorded was 36mph for a 20mph zone.
