Camera car focuses on safety of pupils

DRIVING FORCE: the new School Safety Vehicle gets the thumbs-up from Casey Devine (front), whose successful campaign led to its introduction

Teachers, councillors and pupils have given their support to a new road safety campaign that cracks down on irresponsible parking outside schools.

Parents dropping their children off at Hey With Zion and St Edward’s schools in Lees will see the new School Safety Vehicle patrolling the area on Rowlands Way over the coming weeks, watching out for drivers flouting parking restrictions.

As the Evening Chronicle reported yesterday, the arrival of the special car marks the success of Hey With Zion pupil Casey Devine’s safety campaign, which she launched earlier this year after nearly being hit by a car.

Oldham Council yesterday revealed the new School Safety Vehicle, which will patrol the streets around schools.

The vehicle maps out streets with parking guidelines and is alerted whenever it passes a car parked in a restricted area. The driver will be issued a £70 penalty charge.

Gordon Leach, head teacher at Hey With Zion School, said: “Anything that helps to keep children safe is wonderful, and this strategy will persuade parents to be extra safe.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet member for housing, transport and planning, said: “We don’t want Oldham children put in danger by irresponsible parking and lazy drivers.”





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