Young pupils safer on roads thanks to hi-vis jackets initiative

YOUNG schoolchildren in West Somerset can now be heard and also seen, thanks to an initiative by the West Somerset Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
High-visibility jackets are being given to all primary school and first school pupils in the district to make them safer on the journey to and from their homes.
The initiative began after Police Community Support Officer Luisa Skinner visited Watery Lane pre-school last November.
She accompanied the children on a walkabout in the town and was surprised to find the children and teachers did not have any high visibility tabards or equipment to ensure they were all safe when out and about on school trips and outings.
Funding was then sought from the crime and disorder reduction partnership to purchase a supply of high-visibility jackets.
Now, PCSOs are involved in distributing the jackets to schoolchildren.
West Somerset Council’s community safety officer, Pete Hughes, said: “For a while we have heard from parents and teachers who are worried about children crossing rural roads.
“Often, they say the roads are unlit or there are no pavements, or both, which obviously puts children at higher risk.
“We are delighted to be able to provide children in West Somerset’s first schools with fluorescent high visibility jackets so that drivers, cyclists, and other road users are aware of their presence.
“This is a really positive aspect of our jobs, and we are really pleased to have been able to help children in the rural and urban areas of West Somerset.”

• Our photograph shows PCSOs Sue Hurley (left) and Rachel Cutler with Pete Hughes and Cutcombe First School pupils (left to right) Tom Nancekivell, Hannah Thompson, Harry Delve, Aaron Kendall, Ellie Abraham, and Charlotte Matravers. Photo submitted.

Drink-drive Christmas campaign

A HARD-hitting Christmas campaign is being used by Somerset County Council to remind drivers in West Somerset of the tragic consequences of drink-driving.
The Somerset Road Safety Partnership is sending graphic posters to pubs, clubs, and off-licences throughout the county in the run-up to the festive season.
One shows an overturned car with the caption ‘There are never any winners in the drink drive lottery – it’s a Christmas rollover’.
In another poster, paramedics are dealing with a casualty beside their ambulance, with its flashing blue and red lights, and the words ‘Not the sort of lights you’d like to see this Christmas. Just a small amount of alcohol can lead to tragedy on rural roads’.
The posters will also appear on roadside hoardings and the rear of buses– and will be backed up by a radio advertising campaign.
County Councillor Hazel Prior-Sankey, who is chairman of the road safety partnership, said: “This is a time of year when many people will be attending parties and functions.
“We do not want to spoil their fun, but would ask them to be sensible and to avoid drinking and driving.
“Alcohol impairs a driver’s reactions and judgement and can lead to a crash in which they, and other innocent road users, could be seriously injured or even lose their lives.”
Councillor Prior-Sankey advised party-goers to use public transport or taxis, or to nominate a designated driver who stayed on non-alcoholic drinks all evening, to make sure they arrived home safely.
The partnership was launched two months ago by the county council, in conjunction with the police, the fire and rescue service, and health authorities, to reduce road casualties in Somerset.
In the three weeks immediately before Christmas last year, there were 184 drink-drive arrests in Avon and Somerset - 24 more than in the same period of 2004 - and 103 of those arrested were under the age of 30.