Pupils learn all about road safety

Oct 15 2008 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

YOUNGSTERS from Wishaw and Motherwell are on the right road to success after taking part in a road safety event.

With winter approaching, it’s even more important than norm al that youngsters take care while out walking.

That’s why dozens of pupils attended the Junior Road Safety Officer event and will now spread the word among their friends when they go back to their own schools.

Over 140 children and over 65 adult helpers attended the induction. The new Primary 6 JRSOs were given a resource pack, a guidance manual and special lapel badges to identify them at school. They’lll now become directly involved in spreading road safety messages to the school community.

It will be the responsibility of JRSOs to set up and maintain a school notice board, highlighting road safety issues and promoting local and community campaigns.

They will also run road safety competitions, contribute to school assemblies and highlight road safety problems at their school.

Instructions on using the JRSO website were given at the induction day as well as a demonstration of resources that they are able to borrow from the road safety office.

Amey Roads provided a gritter, together with a member of staff, Robert Cassiday, to operate it.

The children were made aware of the dangerous road conditions in winter and the need for gritting.

Resources for the junior road safety officers were provided by Road Safety Scotland and Amey Roads.

The schools from Wishaw and the surrounding areas who took part were Berryhill, Cambusnethan, Castlehill, Dykehead, Morningside, Newmains, Overtown, St Aidan’s, St Brigid’s, St Ignatius, St Matthew’s, St Patrick’s in Shotts and Wishaw Academy.

The schools from around Motherwell who took part were Calder, Glencairn, Knowetop, Ladywell, Lawmuir, Muir Street, Newarthill, Our Lady and St Francis and St Bernadette’s.