Speeding motorists in West Derby were sent back to school last week as part of the city’s drive to make residential streets safer for all users.
The 20 effect, the Liverpool City Council led programme delivered in partnership with Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire & Rescue will ultimately see 70 per cent of the city’s streets covered by a 20mph speed limit. Part of the campaign includes stopping drivers who are driving over the speed limit in an effort to change their attitude towards driving on the roads.
The roadside education course took place on Leyfield Road in West Derby the road where six year old Bobby Colleran was tragically killed in October 2014.
Drivers breaking the 20mph speed limit were stopped by police and given the opportunity to watch a five minute video and take part in a brake reaction test instead of facing points on their license and a £100 fine. The specially made video features children from Whitefield Primary School in Everton talking about the dangers of speeding. Those who were driving at excessive speeds of 30mph or more were immediately ticketed.
Pupils from Blackmoor Park Junior School, West Derby, also took part in roadside education programme. They ran a kids court session where they were given the opportunity to question speeding motorists on why they were going over the speed limit.
Martin Davies, head teacher at Blackmoor Park Junior School, said: “Safety is always a key priority for the children and staff at our school. We deliver a wide variety of safety activities in school to educate our pupils about staying safe both in and around school as well as at home. Whether it is through lessons, school assemblies, safety presentations or special visitors to the school, all members of staff are committed to ensuring everyone is kept as safe as possible at all times.
“I would like to thank the 20 effect for choosing Leyfield Road for their roadside education campaign. It is vital to protect the cyclists and pedestrians who use the busy roads around the school.”
Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for Transport and Regeneration, Councillor Malcolm Kennedy said: “We are delighted with the success of this campaign. In total, over 38 drivers took part in the roadside education course and the police ticketed eight people who were driving well over the 20mph speed limit.
“Education is a vital part of the 20 effect campaign. If motorists know and are reminded of the dangers of driving over the speed limit, they are less likely to go over it. This campaign isn’t about giving offenders an easy option to avoid points on their license, it is about re-educating them on the very real dangers of speeding.”
“Our thanks go to the staff and students of Blackmoor Park Junior School for their continued support and campaigning for safer streets in Liverpool.”
The 20 effect programme started in 2012 and is set to cover 70% of the city’s roads by the end of 2015.
Information on the 20 effect is available at http://www.the20effect.com/ on twitter @the20effect or on facebook.com/the20effect
