Children Shame Speeding Drivers

By Daniel Knowles
This is Local London
Jun. 15, 2007

Traffic police have unveiled their latest weapon against speeding drivers - embarrassment by schoolchildren.

During a three-day operation, motorists caught speeding outside Laleham Church of England Primary School were pulled over and had to face questions from the children they were putting in danger.

The road is a 30mph limit and the fastest speed recorded was 41mph.

The 60 year six pupils, wearing yellow bibs, used a police speed camera to catch speeding motorists with the help of Spelthorne casualty reduction officer PC Mike Pritchard.

Once the drivers were stopped, the children, working with Karen O'Neill, Surrey County Council road safety officer, asked them why they were going so fast outside their school.

About 20 motorists a day were caught on The Broadway, Laleham, between 9.30am and 12.30pm last Thursday and Friday and again yesterday.

PC Pritchard hoped talking to children would make drivers think more carefully about driving slowly.

"This is an opportunity to educate children about road safety and to raise the awareness of drivers about the dangers around schools," PC Pritchard said.

"We have run this project over the last four years.

"The children gain a tremendous amount from it and the response from the public is always very encouraging."