Youngsters at two Aberdeenshire primary schools were visited by police yesterday to get some tips on staying safe on the roads.
Officers visited Newmachar and Kemnay primaries to offer road safety education – and also stepped up patrols to snare speeding motorists, amid concerns from residents.
Today, they will visit Alehousewells Primary in Kemnay.
Additional officers were laid on with speed guns within the ‘hotspot’ areas of the two towns, with patrols also being carried out to crackdown on problem parking.
Oldmeldrum Road, School Road and Hillbrae Way in Newmachar were identified by the local community as trouble spots, as well as entrance to the village from m both sides of the A947 Aberdeen to Banff road.
Residents in Kemnay told police of problems on Grove Road, Aquithie Road and Bremner Way.
A police spokeswoman said: “The initiative was organised as residents in the area are concerned about speeding, parking issues and general road crime.
“Several ‘hotspots’ have been identified throughout the area as problem areas with regard to speeding and also identifies the roads close to the schools within the towns.”
Deputy head of Newmachar Primary, Fiona McDonald, welcomed the visit.
She said: “It’s really important that pupils are aware of how dangerous the roads can be and having police officers come and tell the children of the dangers helps them understand even better.
“We have an ongoing road safety campaign involving all pupils in the school. I think it teaches them a skill for life.”
Constable Jennifer McNaulty, who gave the talk, said: “It’s really important to get out and do these visits.
“The pupils know a lot more than you think and they’re aware of a lot more but I think it’s really important to instil it at this age. As they go up through school they will stay aware of road safety.
“We generally get complaints of issues around the school so it’s good to come and target these areas and speak to children and parents.
“Hopefully we’ll get to it again and perhaps go to the secondary schools to speak to future drivers.”
East Garioch councillor Martin Ford said: “There have been continuing concerns raised by the local community and I
welcome the police presence in highlighting these issues.”