Back to school road safety advice

Inspector John Millar of Roads Policing explains: “It’s important that all road users drive with minimal distraction so they leave as much time as possible for their journey. Most importantly, drivers should keep an eye out for children on bicycles or on foot, particularly when close to schools, junctions and at bus stops.“In particular please watch out for bicycles. Children on bikes are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and the bicycle”

Inspector Millar also appealed for parents carrying out the school run to slow down, stay well within the speed limits and properly restrain children in the car: “In a crash at just 30mph, an unrestrained child can be thrown forward with a force 30 to 60 times their body weight.

“This means that they would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring them and possibly seriously injuring or even killing other passengers. They could also be ejected from the car through one of the windows.

“Police will be paying special attention close to schools in the first few weeks of term. Where offences are noted, whether for speeding, inappropriate parking around schools or allowing children to travel unrestrained, we will be issuing advice, guidance, warning and when appropriate, fixed penalty tickets which can carry three penalty points”.