Essex Police has taken the unusual step of getting help from local primary school children to tackle speeding drivers near their school grounds.
In a new partnership, Year 6 pupils from a Loughton-based primary school worked alongside the Roads Policing Unit as part of a lesson on road safety awareness.
The campaign, which took place on November 20, saw children stationed at the school’s site, where they helped identify motorists exceeding the speed limit during the morning school run.
Working in collaboration with police officers, the pupils successfully spotted drivers breaking the speed limit during both the school run and morning commute hours.
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Motorists were asked to sign the Vision Zero Pledge when they were caught speeding
ESSEX POLICE
During the operation, police stopped 19 drivers who were exceeding the 30mph speed limit near the school.
Eleven motorists were caught driving between 35mph and 39mph, while seven were recorded in the 40mph range.
The speed checks revealed concerning levels of non-compliance with local speed restrictions during peak school hours.
These violations occurred in an area specifically designated for lower speeds due to the presence of school children.
Among the most serious violations, one driver was caught travelling at 50mph and was found to be uninsured, while another motorist was stopped while driving at 38mph with four flat tyres on their vehicle.
Officers also identified safety concerns beyond speeding, with two drivers being advised about improper use of child car seats as children’s arms were outside the safety straps.
The pupils witnessed direct police action during the operation, with one officer pursuing a vehicle that failed to stop when requested.
As a result of the initiative, most of the stopped drivers signed up for the Vision Zero Pledge, committing to reflect on their driving decisions.
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The school operation was conducted as part of School Speedwatch, which works alongside Community Speedwatch programmes run by local volunteers.
This follows new Government guidelines which give councils and local authorities the power to deliver better School Street schemes to cut traffic and make journeys healthier.
The campaigns aim to “create a safer space for children and their families to walk, wheel, cycle or scoot to school, bringing a wealth of benefits to both school pupils and residents”.
Such schemes are already seen around the UK and have resulted in a fall in dangerous driving, parking and turning outside schools during school run times.
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The children helped the Roads Policing Unit identify speeding drivers
ESSEX POLICE
Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner, said: “The majority of kids have told us they want to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle to school – it’s what they want, and it’s what we want for them.”