 The campaign aims to reduce the number of deaths on roads |
A summer safety campaign aimed at protecting children on Scotland's roads has been launched by police. The eight Scottish forces will target drivers during the last weeks of the summer, when many children are playing outside before the schools return.
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) campaign will focus on drink-driving, speeding and failing to wear a seatbelt.
The drive will involve intelligence-led patrols and road checks.
It aims to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on Scotland's roads.
The latest statistics showed that the number of children killed or seriously injured in Scotland fell by 4% in 2005-06.
That was 57% lower than the average of 1994 to 1998.
Assistant Chief Constable Ian Learmonth said: "We were set a target to halve the number of children killed or seriously injured on Scotland's roads by 2010.
"To have surpassed that already is very heartening.
"However, the death of just one child on our roads is a heartbreaking tragedy for any parent and we have to remember that.
"Most road crashes are avoidable and we can reduce the level of death and injury on our roads by highlighting and targeting those acts which have the greatest effect on casualty numbers."
Michael McDonnell, director of Road Safety Scotland, said: "We have a good record in terms of casualties in Scotland, but there is a bit of a problem with child casualties and the peak month for these is August, which coincides with school holidays.
"Around two-thirds of those children killed or seriously injured are pedestrians, so we would urge drivers to take care on every journey and watch out for children on or near the road, adjusting their speed as necessary."
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Around two-thirds of those children killed or seriously injured are pedestrians
