The event – from 28 April to 2 May – will be launched at Ninfield Primary School by East Sussex County Council’s Road Safety Team and Sussex Police. It aims to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding and of children not wearing seatbelts safely. Children will take part in activities such as child pedestrian training, speed checks and in-car safety. They have designed posters to get the road safety message across in their own way, and the winners will receive prizes at the launch.
The road safety week is the third measure that the County Council has introduced to encourage road safety in the village as it marks the completion of a recent traffic calming scheme and the introduction of a 30mph speed limit along the A269. The scheme also provided improvements for pedestrians including a new zebra crossing and traffic islands.
Village councillors will be attending the road safety week and parents are invited to get involved as well, and can sign up to a commitment to "Kill Your Speed". A Speed Indicator Display (SID) will be operated by community volunteers in and around Ninfield and near the primary school to encourage drivers to slow down for children, with the message to "Slow Down and Belt Up" highlighted throughout the week.
A Seat Belt Sledge that demonstrates the importance of wearing a seat belt and an exhibition vehicle, operated by the Sussex Safer Road Partnership, will also be visiting the School to emphasise the importance of drivers sticking to the speed limit. The children will also be working on a data collection project monitoring vehicle speeds, seat belt wearing and mobile phone use.
Councillor Mathew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: "In 2006, there were more than 500 people involved in serious collisions in the Wealden area, some sadly resulting in death. This figure could be halved if we all work towards creating a safer culture for children on our roads. This community initiative is encouraging us all to play our part by slowing down and making sure our child and adult passengers are safely belted in."
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