By Mark Mackay

YOUNGSTERS IN primary schools throughout Perth and Kinross yesterday took on responsibility for the safety of their fellow pupils.

The Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSOs) scheme was launched nationally in 2002 and was well received when undertaken in Tayside for the first time last year.

Having seen the scheme implemented successfully at schools throughout the region, police are hoping the campaign will be every bit as successful as last year.

Its road safety unit has again invited every primary school in the region to participate in this partnership, which aims to increase children’s road safety awareness at school and in the wider community.

Each participating school has nominated two JRSOs from Primary 6, all of whom have applied for the job giving reasons why they feel they would be suitable.

The new intake of JRSOs were inducted at Western Divisional HQ.

Throughout their tenure, they will be responsible for maintaining a road safety notice board, running competitions within the school and talking on road safety issues at assemblies or classes.

JRSOs will receive the full support of their local road safety officer, together with adult helpers.

At the induction, Tayside Police road safety co-ordinator Marian Scott stressed the importance of the scheme, saying, “We are greatly encouraged that road safety is moving up the agenda of every school in Tayside.

“With junior road safety officers participating in over 40 schools in Perth and Kinross, 30 Angus primary schools and 19 in Dundee, we are confident there will be an increase in road safety awareness of both pupils and the local community. They will be able to highlight the issues that affect them locally and raise awareness of road safety matters within their school and the wider community.”

The campaign allows children to voice their opinions to adults about what they feel their priorities are in terms of road safety education, rather than adults telling children what they need.

Marian added, “With the Scottish Executive encouraging local authorities to make 20 mph zones around every school, junior road safety officers will provide an invaluable link between the school and the community in assisting with wider education about local schemes.”

The JRSOs will also be able to assist in travel plans and safer routes to school projects.

The national JRSO scheme was developed by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign.