Warrington speeding drivers face 'children's court' at school

Drivers caught speeding outside a Warrington school will be asked to come in and be "interrogated" by pupils

Drivers caught speeding outside a school are to be asked to come inside and be "interrogated" by pupils at a "children's court".

Cheshire Police will be stopping motorists exceeding the 20mph limit outside a school in Warrington.

They will be asked to go and "face an uncomfortable interrogation" from pupils.

The initiative is part of a month-long nationwide clampdown on speeding, the force said.

Police camera vans will also be stationed in problem areas across Cheshire.

The "children's court" has been organised by Cheshire Police in partnership with Warrington Council, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service along with other partners of the Cheshire Road Safety Group (CRSG).

'Saving lives'

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said: "Motorists will face an uncomfortable interrogation from school children on their driving behaviours as part of Cheshire Road Safety Group's clampdown on speeding across the county."

David Boyer, chairman of the CRSG and the council's director of environment and transport, said: "We hope that by having children speak directly to the drivers they will take away why it is so important they slow down and drive safely.

"Not just outside of schools during school hours, but on all journeys, on all roads, all of the time."

The police crackdown focuses on the "fatal five" offences:

• careless driving

• drink and drug driving

• not wearing a seatbelt

• using a mobile phone

• speeding

The force said drivers who committed those offences were more likely to be involved in a fatal collision.

Inspector Anton Sullivan said a "significant number" of drivers had been dealt with in the last 12 months.

"We do not do this for the sake of it, we do it to save people's lives," he said.

"It is absolutely crucial we engage with and educate motorists on how to use the roads safely - and enforce the law when they are not.

"If you speed in Cheshire, or commit any of the other fatal five offences, we will take action."