Drivers urged to slow down near schools 

Issued by Police Scotland
 
Road policing officers are once again urging drivers to slow down near schools after 24 drivers were stopped for speeding during lunch time at a single primary in Inverness.

Officers stopped all of the drivers near Hilton Primary School during the lunch break on Thursday, August 23.

One of the drivers will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal, two have received a conditional offer of a Fixed Penalty Notice and the remainder have been given warnings.

Speed checks have been ongoing at schools all this week after pupils returned from their summer holidays.

It  has been documented that about 5% of pedestrians would die when struck by a vehicle travelling at 20mph increasing to about 40% for vehicles travelling at 30mph, about 80% for vehicles travelling at 40 mph and close to 100% for speeds over 50 mph.

Many schools in the Highlands have 20mph limits during school hours and drivers are advised to be aware of the local limits. 

Road Policing Sergeant Gus Murray said: "It is incredibly disappointing to have stopped this many vehicles being driven irresponsibly near a primary school in such a short space of time.
"It is well documented that the greater the speed then the greater the risk to a pedestrian.

"Near schools this means that a speeding driver is putting the lives of children at risk - this is not tolerated, either by us or the wider community.

"All motorists need to be persuaded that driving at inappropriate speeds is not a minor, technical offence that everyone commits.

"It is a serious, dangerous and antisocial activity. 

"We will continue to carry out enforcement activity near schools to stop those who continue to ignore the dangers."

Cllr Andrew Baxter, Chair of Highland Council’s Care, Learning and Housing Committee said: “Highland Council is fully supportive of Police Scotland’s actions to enforce speed restrictions that are in place around our schools and it is disappointing that so many drivers are disregarding the safety of our children.

 “Highland Council has for many years actively supported the introduction of enforcement of 20mph around schools. Between 2005 and 2009 the authority introduced full and part time 20mph limits at over 200 schools across the region and more recently the Council’s policy is to roll out our 20 miles per hour speed limit programme with a budget allocation of £50k per year until 2022/2033. 

“Motorists are reminded that if they speed in the vicinity of Highland schools then the penalties will be tough. The Highland Council and Police Scotland are clear that if motorists are caught speeding near Highland schools where a 20mph limit is in place, then robust enforcement action will take place.”