A road safety campaign was launched in Aberdeen yesterday ahead of the completion of the Third Don Crossing.
Officers visited St Machar Academy to highlight the importance of road safety to pupils, and to warn them that traffic will increase in the area once the bridge is open.
Constable Davie Orr, who is based at the school, organised the event which showed around 400 first and second year pupils the full consequences of not paying attention to the road.
Working alongside fire and ambulance teams, the police gave demonstrations of how the emergency services deal with incidents of children being knocked down by cars, and offered advice on how to avoid getting into an accident.
Inspector Darren Bruce, who covers the Tillydrone area, said the force wanted to send out a strong message to both youngsters and drivers of the dangers increased traffic on St Machar Drive and surrounding routes will bring.
He said: “As the new bridge opens we do expect to see a larger number of vehicles going through the area, so today was about giving the pupils some of the skills they need to keep themselves safe and cross the road.
“We also had a blind spot exercise thanks to Colin Lawson, who brought along one of his lorries. We showed the kids that we could fit up to 20 of them inside the lorry driver’s blind spot, it really helps them to understand road safety from a driver’s perspective.
“But one of the main messages we need to get across to drivers is to make extra sure they’re on the look out for pupils at peak times, just before and just after work.”
Local councillor Ross Grant and St Machar Parent Teacher Council secretary Dawn Mahoney also helped organise the day.
Mr Grant said: “The emergency services have decided to be as proactive as they possible can be.
“There has been concerns that with an increase in traffic we will need to educate and raise awareness, particularly with
our younger people, about the upcoming changes in the area.
“And if we can do that before the Third Don Crossing opens, we can potentially save lives.”
The bridge is expected to open in July.
