As the new school term starts, drivers around East Dunbartonshire’s schools are being given a reminder lesson in road safety from pupils.
Careless, selfish and dangerous parking around schools is an on-going issue which pupils from Thomas Muir Primary in Bishopbriggs and Westerton Primary in Bearsden are hoping to tackle once and for all.
The children have unveiled giant banners around their schools to remind drivers to think twice about where they park when dropping off or picking up and to consider their safety as pedestrians.
At Westerton Primary, Isla Shannon’s colourful design directs motorists to ‘Park Smart, Park Safe, Park in the Right Place’. The P3/2 pupil used a striking red car to draw attention to her message.
Meanwhile, at Thomas Muir Primary there is a banner on Kirriemuir Road, designed by Sophie Kay from P2b. Sophie’s colourful plea is for more families to consider ditching the car and ‘Walk to School and be Cool’. At the rear of the school, on Ochil Road, drivers will be urged to ‘Show you Care, Park Elsewhere’ when they see Jasmine Anttal’s (P6b) design.
Councillor Susan Murray, Vice Convener of the Council’s Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee said, “The start of the new term is a good time to begin new habits and consider the impact of our driving habits and decisions on pupils.
“Life is fast paced and we are often in a hurry to drop children at school in the morning or make it back for the 3pm bell but parking on zig zags, on corners, across entrances and in other inconsiderate places puts lives at risks.
“Rightly the children themselves are concerned about the poor driver behaviour they witness and are asking the grown-ups to think carefully. I’d echo their message and ask everyone to think about how they can make their journey safer for everyone. If walking is not an option then parking safely should be a priority.”
The poster design competition in both schools was run by the Council’s Community Safety Team and supported by educational talks to pupils, encouraging them to take the road safety message home to the drivers in their families.
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