Thirty drivers stopped as action taken outside schools
Thirty drivers were stopped, warned or reported to police during a joint road safety operation outside Wirral schools.
Wirral Council's Road Safety Team joined Merseyside Police roads policing officers over two days.
The action, co-ordinated by the Road Safety Team, was to support the national Stop Means STOP campaign, which raises awareness of the legal requirement for drivers to stop when instructed by a school crossing patrol officer.
Motorists who fail to comply can face a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points on their licence.
While the majority of drivers complied with the law, officers identified 30 motorists whose behaviour required intervention.
On Frankby Road near Hilbre High School, which has a speed limit of 20mph, 11 drivers were recorded travelling between 26mph and 33mph during the morning school run. One vehicle was stopped and reported after being detected travelling at 45mph.
On Heath Road near Wirral Grammar School for Girls, several motorists exceeding the speed limit during the afternoon pick-up period were stopped.
Officers also identified two adults not wearing seatbelts and a child travelling without an appropriate car seat. Those offences were reported, highlighting the importance of safety measures designed to protect children travelling to and from school.
Lewis, the school crossing patrol officer on Heath Road, said that although most drivers comply with his instructions, he still encounters motorists who speed or fail to stop.
On Rock Lane West near St Anne's Primary School, police detected 13 speeding vehicles during the morning school run, with two travelling at 45mph and 43mph – well above the 20mph speed limit.
Drivers on Pensby Road near Thingwall Primary School were also advised about pavement parking and the need to keep routes to school clear and safe.
The findings from this operation highlight the value of campaigns such as Stop Means STOP. Drivers should take care around schools, follow speed limits and stop when directed by a school crossing patrol officer.
Children should be able to travel to and from school safely and crossing patrol officers need to be able to carry out their important work safely.
Working with Merseyside Police helps raise awareness that road safety around schools is a shared responsibility. Slowing down and taking a little extra care can make a real difference.
We want to educate drivers to reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on our roads.
When driving near a school, you should pay attention to road signs and markings. A lot of drivers can become complacent on roads they use every day and need to make sure observations are heightened during school drop-offs and pick-ups, as well as at all other times.
When a school crossing patrol enters the road, their sign says stop. Stop means stop. You're required to do so by law. Failing to do so can lead to a fine and points on your driving licence.
