Youngsters learn all about road safety

New Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSO) from schools across South Lanarkshire attended a training day at Chatelherault.

Over 160 primary six and seven pupils from 71 schools were at the country park learning what the role of a JRSO involves.

The event, organised by South Lanarkshire Council, also gave the young people the chance to meet with JRSOS from other schools, share ideas and find out how they can best fulfil their roles.

Partner organisations also showed their support, with Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Safety Cameras Scotland, Living Streets, Cycling Scotland, Sustrans, GIST Logistics and Fun & Fit Bike on hand to enhance the pupils’ learning experience.

Normally, each school selects two JRSOS who are tasked with promoting the very important road safety message to their peers.

Some larger primaries may have more than two to ensure their safety messages can be shared with all pupils. The pupils are carefully selected by the schools with some even being interviewed before being appointed.

Each JRSO who attended the information day was provided with a pack containing a year planner, pen, lapel badge and high-visibility vest. Additional information and resources were provided to support them in their role as they circulated the various activities and stalls.

There were a number of activities throughout the day, such as a quiz, traffic trail, road safety game, film shows as well as ideas about what should be displayed on notice boards in the schools.

Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Road Safety Forum, Councillor Julia Marrs, said: “We had a fantastic and fun day at Chatelherault and our JRSOS left the park fully equipped with ideas and information to help keep their classmates safe.

“JRSOS have a hugely important role. They can identify and act on issues that are most relevant to individual schools, they can talk to senior pupils as their peers and they are looked up to and respected.”