Speeding drivers reduced to tears by “children’s court”

Nov 16 2011 by Liam Murphy, Heswall News

SPEEDING drivers were reduced to tears after being hauled in front of a ‘children’s court’ set up at a Wirral primary school.

Pupils from Greasby Junior School took part in the event to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding.

Drivers caught on Mill Lane by police officers were allowed to avoid getting points on their licence if they faced the “jury” of year six pupils from the school who asked them to consider the dangers of exceeding the 30mph limit outside their school.

Although no drivers would agree to be interviewed, many admitted on feedback forms they had not been paying attention to their speed. One said she had been to a dental appointment and was hurrying to work, while another was talking to a friend.

Patrick, 11, one of the young ‘jurors’ selected by headteacher Adrian Martin, said: “They should concentrate on their speedometer because they could hit a child, and even kill one of us.”

Ten-year-old Isla admitted being “quite nervous” telling the adults about their speeding, but said: “One person was nearly crying when she went out.”

Mr Martin said the school had recently done ‘speed tests’ outside the school and found cars were travelling at an average of around 40mph, and said: “It’s been identified as one of the fastest roads outside a school in Wirral.”

He said although they had tried to get parents to keep to the speed limit, they could not contact other members of the community in the same way, and added: “This has been a great way to get the message across.”

The “court” sat throughout the morning with eight pupils taking part, and although nine motorists were stopped three were doing over 40mph and had no choice but to face points and a fine, while six submitted to the interview with the schoolchildren.