Robinson makes Safety Plea to Motorists ahead of new School Term
East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson has appealed to motorists to use seatbelts no matter how short their journey may be. On the eve of the new school term the Ulster Unionist representative and former school Principal observed, “The beginning of each new school year is an exciting time for children and an extremely busy time for their parents. The added pressures of getting pupils ready, checking school bags, sports gear etc and meeting a time deadline can lead to a frantic last minute rush for the car. In such a setting it is easy to overlook checking to see if the children’s seatbelts are correctly secured. I would appeal to parents to ensure that their young people are safely strapped into their seats before the “school run” commences.
“It is also important that when pupils are dropped off at the school that great care is taken to prevent them from dashing across the road in front of other vehicles. All motorists need to take extra care when approaching schools or locations where numbers of pupils are gathered. They should adjust their speed and be prepared for the unexpected.”
In a final plea Cllr Robinson added, “I would beg those parents who continue to drive with their vehicle full of young children whilst glued to their mobile phones to stop this thoughtless, highly dangerous and illegal practice immediately. The journey to and from school is already fraught with danger without this senseless activity and I trust that the police will crack down on any driver who continues this foolish and dangerous practice.”