Please see below a letter from Steven Boyle, Road Policing Inspector...

Local Road Safety Initiatives at School Premises – November 2012

Reducing the number and severity of road traffic casualties remains a priority focus for the police. The school environment is a key area to raise awareness amongst drivers and increase public confidence through a safe transport infrastructure.

Road casualty statistics show a continued downward trend involving serious collisions on the roads within East Lothian and Midlothian and this decrease indicates that, together with our partners, we are currently on track to meet and hopefully exceed the Government’s challenging 2020 Scottish Road Safety targets in respect of the number of persons killed and seriously injured on our roads. This in no way implies any complacency as I fully endorse the view of the Transport Minister Keith Brown, that “a single death on our roads is one too many” and recognise that motor vehicles continue to represent a significant risk to life and limb in our communities.

Lothian & Borders Police remain committed to casualty reduction therefore, in order to further promote the road safety message, a joint initiative will take place each weekday, during November 2012, involving police and partner agencies who will focus on the ‘school run’.

Regular complaints are received throughout the school term, relating to poor driving standards often involving inappropriate parking around schools and the unsafe carriage of children. In an effort to address such concerns, there is an intention for officers to visit a number of schools within East Lothian and Midlothian during the ‘drop off’ and/or ‘pick up‘ periods where they will provide advice and if appropriate, enforcement of Road Traffic Legislation.

To achieve maximum impact, I do not intend to provide advanced notice of when a particular school will be visited and bearing in mind the possibility of unforeseen operational commitments, I cannot guarantee that all schools will be visited. However, should your school be visited, you will receive feedback from the officers.

A statement will be released to the media, however I would also request that you assist us by making the parents aware of this initiative.

Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Steven Boyle
Road Policing Inspector
East Lothian and Midlothian