Tough Crackdown On Speeding Near Schools

Drivers in the Highlands are being warned that if they speed in the vicinity of Highland schools then the penalties will be tough.

The Highland Council, Northern Constabulary and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (Highlands and Islands Area) today (Monday 29th August, 2005) issued a joint warning to motorists that if they are caught speeding near Highland schools where a part time 20mph limit is in place, then robust enforcement action will be taken by both the Police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Over the next four years, Highland Council is installing both part time and full time 20mph speed limits around its 220 primary and secondary schools throughout the Highlands with the help of £2.157M funding from the Scottish Executive.

Currently there are 29 schools in Highland with part time 20mph speed limits which co-incide with the times when pupils are entering and exiting schools at morning, lunch and in the afternoon. These schools include:

Work is ongoing to install part time 20mph limits to the remaining 191 schools in Highland.

Lisa Graham, Highland Council’s Road Safety Officer said: "The Highland Council aims to get the message across that slowing down near schools saves lives and that reducing the speed limit to 20 mph outside schools significantly improves the safety of children walking or cycling to school.

"Roads outside schools can be notoriously dangerous places for children travelling to and from the classroom. Injury accidents have fallen by 60%, child pedestrian accidents by 70% and child cyclist accidents by 48% where the 20mph designated measures are put in place.

"With research showing that 20 mph speed limits are an effective vehicle for reducing the number of accidents and severity of casualties on our roads, it is clear to see why all drivers including parents must abide by them."

Inspector John Smith of Northern Constabulary said: "Motorists have got to understand the importance of these 20 mph limits and action will be taken across all Northern Constabulary Area Commands to strictly enforce the limits and those drivers who choose to ignore the warnings will be charged."

Area Procurator Fiscal Andrew Laing of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: "It is difficult to imagine of anything more important than the safety and well being of children. Sadly every year we have to deal with tragic accidents involving children near schools and the terrible consequences to the families and communities and I am determined that law enforcement agencies should do whatever we can to provide a safer environment for children. I know that all responsible road users will fully support the 20 mph speed limits and will agree that it is appropriate for the police and courts to take robust action to minimise the risk of road traffic accidents to school children."