Recent Events across Torfaen
Back to TorfaenRoad Safety Scheme Reaches Landmark Total
The 2,000th child is about to learn the importance of road safety through a scheme run by Torfaen County Borough Council. This term will see the landmark total in the Kerbcraft scheme. And thanks to extra funding and an additional officer dedicated to the cause, the initiative is set to rollout to more primary schools in the County Borough.
Road safety mascot, Iolo the Zebra, helped pupils from Penygarn Primary School celebrate the success of the scheme.
Lesley Rosser, the Council´s Pedestrian Training Co-ordinator, said: "We are delighted with the success of the scheme and that it is continuing to grow. Since 2002, 1,741 children have passed through the scheme and this term the 2,000th child is due to learn about road safety. We are also hoping to increase the number of primary schools involved from 15 to 20. It is clear that the roads are becoming busier so it is especially important to teach our young children good road sense."
Kerbcraft is a national training project funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. Money funds the employment of a co-ordinator who finds and trains volunteers who, the Council says, are crucial to the success of the initiative. They then teach five to seven year olds at the roadside.
Key skills taught include recognising safe versus dangerous roadside locations, crossing safely at parked cars and crossing safely near junctions.
Bags, colourful literature and stickers are given to children to reward them for their efforts.
Martin Jones, deputy headteacher at Penygarn, said: "It´s an excellent scheme because learning about road safety helps save lives. We notice a marked improvement in the children´s knowledge and understanding when they come back into class after finishing a Kerbcraft session."
Councillor John Cunningham, Executive Member for Operational Services, said: "We are fully committed to this scheme as it is a fun way of getting a serious message across."
According to figures released by the Welsh Assembly earlier this year, Torfaen recorded the second highest drop in Wales in the number of road casualties since 1994-98.
If you have a morning a week to spare during term time, and are interested in becoming a volunteer for Kerbcraft phone 01633 648435.