Dion belts up and wins
An Ayr primary school pupil proved she was a top draw- er when she became a finalist in a top competition to help promote wearing seat belts on school transport Dion Benson, who attends Dalmilling Primary School in Ayr, finished third in the national Transport Scotland contest. The Seat Belt Design Competition invited primary school children to create a logo and slogan to spearhead a campaign to help pupils of all ages understand the safety benefits of seat belts, instil positive lifelong habits around their use and promote good practice at school and council level. Dion was one of three finalists invited to a lunchtime reception at the Scottish Parliament on April 25. She met Minister for Transport Humza Yousaf and Gillian Martin MSP and was presented with framed versions of her artwork. Mr Yousaf said: “It was important to run this competition because the Scottish Government is committed to achieving safer road travel which is why we’re urging pupils to wear a seat belt where one is provided on school transport. “When the Seat Belts Act for dedicated school transport in Scotland comes into force, it will make sure one seat belt is provided per pupil as they travel to and from school. “While the Act won’t affect the law on the wearing of seat belts, which remains a reserved matter, the Scottish Government has always been clear that the Act represents an opportunity to promote successful approaches into seat belt wearing and wider awareness of this issue.” The winning logo and slogan will be used to brand the national guidance and publicity materials, which will be sent out to schools across the country.