Speeding drivers reduced to tears after being grilled by special “kids court” at West Kirby’s Black Horse Hill Junior school

Nov 28 2012 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

SPEEDING drivers were reduced to tears after being grilled by a special “kids court”.

Motorists caught breaking the speed limit outside Black Horse Hill Junior School in West Kirby were given the choice of taking a £60 fine and three penalty points – or go before four pupils from the school.

Two drivers were tearful after appearing before the children – and another said it made him “feel sick inside” – when asked how he would have reacted to a child running out into the road while travelling at speed.

Almost all who were caught said that the experience of being questioned by the children about their driving behaviour made them feel humbled or embarrassed – and many said it made them more aware of the dangers than if they had received a fine.

Cllr Harry Smith, Wirral council’s cabinet member for streetscene and transport, said: “I was very impressed by the way the children approached the subject, they showed maturity well above their age and were a credit to their school.

“They are wonderful advocates for young children.”

The joint initiative was run by Wirral Council’s Road Safety Team and Merseyside Police on November 19. During a three-hour period, 24 motorists were stopped. All chose to face the children rather than be fined.