2019
SPEEDWATCH TOOLKIT
Who is this toolkit for? Community organisations and individuals who are looking to improve traffic safety issues near schools in their area.
Contents
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What is Speedwatch? Background to Speedwatch
Page 2
Speedwatch Steps
Page 3
Example event that you could organise Conversation workshop guide Table questions Why do people speed Feedback Woodside Speedwatch example action plan
Page 4-6
Publicity
Page 7
Community Planning
Page 8
Police Scotland Guidance Synopsis of Operation Operational guidance Execution Survey Media Final Points for Officers Risk assessments
Page 9-10
Contact Information
Page 11-12
Appendices: A. Permission form B. Risk assessment example C. Certificate of Achievement D. Police Scotland Speedwatch Survey
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What is Speedwatch?
Speedwatch is a collaboration between Aberdeen City Council (ACC) and Police Scotland. It is specific to working with schools Pupils, teachers and Police Scotland stop and survey drivers travelling at speeds in excess of 20mph The aim of Speedwatch is to reduce speeding around schools and to raise awareness of traffic safety Speedwatch is mainly focused on school routes
Background to Speedwatch Riverbank School Speedwatch example:
In 2016, the Third Don Crossing in Aberdeen opened, which resulted in increased through traffic on Hayton Road
In 2017, Police Scotland, ACC, Tillydrone Community Council, Tillydrone Network, St Georges Church and local residents were involved in significant community engagement work through a Living Streets Traffic Safety exercise
As part of the Living Streets Traffic Safety work, a Facebook survey with residents indicated that 57% of respondents considered speeding on Hayton Road to be a priority issue
A speed survey was also carried out by ACC’s Roads team, which recorded an average of 245 cars exceeding 20 miles per hour between the hours of 8 and 9am over a 3-week period
“I really enjoyed it. It was a great opportunity to learn that when I’m an adult and have a car I won’t speed” Maja (pupil)
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Speedwatch Steps Note: this is a guide only Step 1 Speeding issue is observed near school route Step 2 Contact the ACC Communities Team to help ensure that supports are in place, for example ACC Roads and Community Planning (see Contacts page for Police Scotland information) Step 3 Contact school and Police Scotland (usually the Head Teacher/Local Inspector) (see Contacts page for more information) Step 4 Contact the parent council and community council to explain the issue and obtain support Step 5 Arrange your ‘Speedwatch Team’ meeting with Police Scotland, the school, ACC roads team and others such as the City Wardens, community council, residents, parents, pupils and nearby businesses Step 6 Consider stakeholder involvement using the following framework:
Primary stakeholders - those impacted directly (end users, parents, children, pedestrians) Secondary stakeholders - intermediaries in the process of delivering to stakeholders (e.g. professionals, advisers, practitioners, consultants, experts, governmental and private sector organisations) External stakeholders - decision makers, policy makers (elected members, MSPs, MPs, governmental bodies)
Step 7 Local Data: Ensure you have data which can be used to evidence the speeding issue. (One of the ways of obtaining local data is to contact Police Scotland or ACC Roads Team) Step 8 School to organise and identify pupils to take part Step 9 Set the dates, times and frequency of the Speedwatch sessions i.e. peak times like 8am to 9am, once per week/per month etc. Note, this will depend on school and police resources. Aim for at least 6 sessions so that a ‘good’ measure (increase or decrease in speeding) can be taken Step 10 After the sessions plan a Speedwatch event at the school to present the results, raise awareness, obtain feedback and to create an action plan (see next page for example event held in September 2019 at Woodside Primary).Certificates for taking part are often handed to pupils
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Example Event that You Could Organise 1330 hours Welcome and Introduction (10 minutes) Pupil presentation (10 minutes) Police Scotland presentation on the survey results (15 minutes) Award ceremony – Certificates (15 minutes) Workshop conversation at tables (20-30 minutes) Feedback from tables (4 main points from each table) Next steps 1530 hours: Close
Example certificate to present to pupils (see appendices).
Conversation Workshop for Pupils and Parents Guide
Resources: 6 tables, pens, flipchart Arrange for approximately 6 tables (1 per question-see below) Table attendees to circulate every 5 minutes A facilitator and recorder must be assigned to each table Each facilitator will ensure that there are 3 to 4 priorities identified at the end of the session Each table will nominate someone to feed back the main points to the wider group
Example Questions (create relevant questions with your project team) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Do you feel safe walking to school? What can we do as a community to improve traffic safety like reducing speeds? Why do people speed? Has Speedwatch had an impact on you as a pupil or parent? What can adults and the police do to make you feel safer? What do you think of the Speedwatch idea?
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It is important to gather feedback from pupils and parents in order to constantly improve. It also helps evaluate whether a project is successful or not.
What the pupils said: “It was a fun experience to watch the cars speeding and being stopped. I think lots of people stopped speeding because of us” Kasper J (pupil)
“It was exciting getting to see the number of people that speed on a daily basis and finding out how they would feel about hurting us”- Emily (pupil)
“I think it was good as people shouldn’t be going faster than 20mphbeside our school l” Brandon – (pupil)
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Woodside Speedwatch Example Action Plan Tip: When creating an action plan keep it simple and aim for quick wins such as the actions below Action Tell parents not to speed
How? Letters, posters, information, face to face to parents Make a poster that says Class to make up and go 20mph out on streets at busy times with teachers/Police Create a newsletter about Classes to organise and traffic safety design More Speedwatch Do the same as 2019 Projects Speedwatch Make a video advert about Produce and edit a traffic traffic safety and put on safety film TV/Online Re- Launch the Junior Recruit Pupils to start the Traffic Safety Officers new Traffic Safety Officers Club Involve local media Get in touch with ACCs media team
Who? Pupils, school, parent council School, Police and pupils
Pupils and teachers Pupils, Police and Teachers SHMU, Police, pupils, teachers and parents Pupils, School, Parent Council, Lollipop Man, Police Pupils/head teacher
1. Report back to pupils and parents 2. Continue the Speedwatch sessions?
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Publicity Examples
Raising awareness through publicity is an important element of the project to gather momentum and support. Aberdeen primary pupils help police put brakes on speeding 27/02/19 https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/pupils-help-police-brakes-on-speeding/ Woodside pupils join forces with Police Scotland for road safety campaign 30/04/19 https://news.aberdeencity.gov.uk/woodside-pupils-join-forces-with-police-scotland-forroad-safety-campaign/ Speedwatch returns-Riverbank School https://riverbank.aberdeen.sch.uk/blogs/blog/2019/04/24/speedwatch/
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COMMUNITY PLANNING Local projects can involve support from community planning partners which includes ACC and Police Scotland it can therefore be helpful to link this with the Local Outcome Improvement Plan https://communityplanningaberdeen.org.uk/
Community Planning LINKS Speedwatch projects have been supported through the Locality 3 Partnership in Aberdeen. Links to Community Planning, highlighted below from the Local Outcome Improvement Plan and the Local Transport Strategy:
Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) 15.1 Supporting different ways for active travel in everyday journeys, using partners and volunteers to address safety, infrastructure, fitness, well-being and confidence. (p48Key Driver Local Outcome Improvement Project).
The Local Transport Strategy 2016 to 2021: The Community Safety Partnership has been key to establishing priorities for the city The Road Safety Working Group has identified 4 priorities which include ‘speeding around schools. (p33 Local Transport Strategy).
“I enjoyed it because it was fun. I liked asking drivers questions” Olivier- (pupil)
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Police Scotland Guidance By Police Sergeant Richard Roach, Tillydrone CPT (Amended 2018 plan of Police Inspector Mark Stephen) Note, the following directional guidance for Police Scotland Officers is essential for undertaking this type of project in order to understand the role, the logistics and process involved.
Synopsis of Operation
Operational Guidance
Officers carry out speed checks on the identified road, stopping those exceeding the speed limit and asking them whether they would answer some questions from the school children.
The identified organiser within Police Scotland should make early contact with the primary school outside which the operation is intended to be run.
If the motorist agree they would be directed to where the children are standing and questioned from the survey and given a tangible reason to amend their driving style in the future. The operation will last approximately 60 minutes.
Site visit: to confirm that there is a location on the road to conduct these checks and to safely direct vehicles for questioning without causing traffic congestion. Should a good location be found, and a suitable date agreed, the school should be asked to select a small number of confident and communicative children to be the 'questioners'. Previously schools have recruited 6 children, to work in pairs. The school will also need to identify staff members to accompany the children whilst the operation is being run. The school should arrange for permission slips to be sent to the parents of the selected children for signature. Appendix 'A' contains the text of a permission slip utilised on this occasion by Riverbank Primary School.
Execution On the day of the operation, officers should muster at an agreed station, and attend at the school at 0800 hours to brief the staff and children and commence the operation. Operation time: 0815 - 0915 hours to cover the main period of traffic activity. At the briefing all officers should be reminded that the focus of the operation is to educate drivers to drive safely outside schools. On no occasion should the speed at which the driver was travelling be highlighted to them. Only the operator should be able to view the speed on the device. The children should be divided into pairs, with only two at a time approaching the cars, taking turns in asking the questions or noting the answers. On attendance, the two officers carrying out the checks will take up position at a suitable place away from the children. The second pair should remain with the staff members and children. Speeding motorists will be stopped by the officers and told only that they were travelling in excess of the speed limit. This is to prevent any discussion becoming number oriented, thereby losing the key message. The officers should note their details and point out the nearby school. They should advise the motorist of the operation and ask them if they would answer some questions. There is no obligation to take part, however it should be encouraged. Clearly this part needs to be dynamically risk assessed, and officers should use their judgement on whether the person stopped is of a suitable demeanour to attend. No risks will be taken, and if there is any doubt, they will not be used for the operation. If they decline, they should be fully advised of the dangers of their actions and then allowed on their way.
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Survey (designed for children to use) The nominated children will then step forward and ask the agreed questions, noting the answers on their sheet. (see Appendix C) Once the questions have been asked, the third Officer should again approach the car to politely underline the message and close the proceedings. They should then safely guide the car back onto the road, bearing in mind that drivers may be affected by the experience. At the end of the Operation, all parties should return to the school and a short debrief should be conducted to ensure any points are captured for the next occasion and the event recorded on the community engagement database.
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Contact Information Aberdeen City Council Locality Partnership contacts;(to request Communities team support) Martin Smith (Locality 1-Northfield, Middlefield, Mastrick):01224 788538 Joanna Mackie (Locality 2-Torry, Kincorth):01224 522732 Paul Tytler (Locality 3-Seaton, Woodside, Tillydrone): 01224 523656 -------------------------------------------------------------Police Scotland Initial contact: Local Inspector or PC Richard Roach https://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/north-east/ Schools https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-childcare/find-school Head Teacher who will lead or delegate Elected Members-involve your elected members for support https://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?bcr=1 Community Councils- inform your community council for support https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/communitycouncils/community-councils road Safety resources and links https://roadsafety.scot/ Living Streets Scotland https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/about-us/scotland
SUSTRANS-Street design https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/2019/scotland/street-design-in-scotland/ Contacts for Riverbank and Woodside Speedwatch projects Wendy Hampton Depute, Riverbank Primary, Dill Road:01224 483217 Alison Cooke, Head Teacher at Woodside Primary, Clifton Road: 01224 484778 Hamish Cattanach, ACC Community Development Officer is council representative in liaison with Safer Streets (SUSTRANS) and the Locality Partnership: 01224 523638 Ross Stevenson: ACC Roads Engineer: 01224 522678
Translation Service information https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/people-and-communities/equalityand-diversity/translation-interpreting-and-communication-support
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Police Scotland and Crime stoppers encourage the public to report dangerous driving: Call 101 for nonemergencies and general enquiries, in an emergency call 999.
Appendix ‘A’ PERMISSSION SLIP (SUGGESTION) Dear Parent, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Speeding Initiative – Police Scotland As (insert details of nomination), your child has been asked to work with Police Scotland to highlight good and bad driving habits to motorists. This speeding initiative will take place on a stretch of Hayton Road, Tillydrone outside the primary school on (Select dates). We ask that your child arrives early at 0815 am. Police officers will stop drivers who have exceeded the speed limit and speak with them before inviting pupils over to participate. Drivers will be given the opportunity to either be dealt with by the police or speak to the pupils. The pupils will ask the drivers a series of questions and then fill in a short questionnaire with the answers. The children will always be in hi-visibility clothing and will remain on the footpath when they approach the drivers, who will be asked to pull over. We support this initiative, which has been shown to have an impact on driving behaviour around schools. By getting the pupils involved directly, drivers see how their actions could impact on school children. Photos will be taken which may appear in the local press/social media. Please complete the slip below to both give your child permission to take part and for their photographs to appear in the press. Kind Regards Head Teacher
Police Scotland – Speeding Initiative – Return to (insert teachers) Child’s name: Class: My child will/will not be able to take part in the above event I give/do not give permission for my child's photograph to appear in the local press. Parent signature: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------UNCRC Article 6 – Every child has the right to life. Governments must do all that they can to make sure that children survive and develop their full potential.
OPERATIONAL RISK ASSESSMENT
Appendix 'B' OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY: Speed detection operation outside School
STEP 1 HAZARD
STEP 2 WHO MAY BE HARMED AND HOW?
STEP 3 RISK PRIOR TO CONTROLS H/M/L
Planning Deployment 1. Poor location
Police officers, School volunteers, participants and members of the public – personal injury from RTC.
H
STEP 4 CONTROL MEASURES REQUIRED 1(a). The planned location must have a safe lay by/area for the stopping and pulling in of vehicles away from the children.
PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING
STEP 5 RISK WITH CONTROLS IN PLACE H/M/L M
Police/School Supervisors
1(b). School Children will be kept off the highway and contained within a suitable location appropriately supervised. 1©. Police Officer's and School children will wear suitable high viability clothing.
Deployment 2. Lone working
3.Unfamiliarity with equipment
Police officers, School Volunteers and participants - injuries working alone in isolated locations following assault.
Police officers, School Volunteers and School Children – improper use
M
L
2(a). Police to be in possession of police radio. Area Control Room to be advised prior to commencement of operation. 2(b). Police, School Children and Volunteers - no lone working permitted.
All operators to be trained / familiar with equipment and no child to be left alone with equipment.
Police/School Supervisors
L
Equipment Operators L
STEP 1 HAZARD
STEP 2 WHO MAY BE HARMED AND HOW?
STEP 3 RISK PRIOR TO CONTROLS H/M/L
CONTROL MEASURES REQUIRED
PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING
STEP 5 RISK WITH CONTROLS IN PLACE H/M/L
4(a). Provision and correct use of high visibility clothing
Roadside working 4. Fast moving vehicles
STEP 4
Police officers, School Volunteers, School Children and members of the public – personal injury from RTC
H 4(b). Safety aspect of weather conditions to be considered.
Police/ School Supervisors
M
4.(c) Children to remain on pavement at all times, away from road. L
Exposure to inclement weather conditions
5. Assault/violent confrontation.
Police officers, School Volunteers, School Children -hypothermia etc.
L
5(a). Provision and correct use of adequate protective clothing 5(b). Operation not to be undertaken in adverse weather conditions
Police officers, School Volunteers, School Children and members of the public –personal injury
H
6(a). Assessment of situation away from children. 6b). Avoidance of confrontation by use of conflict resolution model. 6c). Adequate feedback of information to control. 6(d). Early request for further assistance as considered necessary. 6(e) Driver to take part on voluntary basis. Any sign of confrontation will not take part in initiative. 6(f) Police Officers to be present at all times.
P ol ic e/ School Supervis ors and Childs p ar en t's
Police/School Supervisors
M
Appendix 'C'
Location:
Date:
Driver Details:
MALE
FEMALE
Age:
17-25
26-35
36+
1.
Which Village or Town do you live in? ....................................................................
2.
Why have you driven down this road? Going to work
3.
Going Home
Visiting Friends
Other
Do you know what the speed limit is on this road? 20mph
30mph
40mph
4.
Do you have children?
5.
Do you know there is a primary school nearby?
6.
Why were you going too fast?
Yes
50mph
No
Yes
No
.........................................................................................................................
7.
How would you feel if you knocked me or one of my friends over? .........................................................................................................................
8.
Will you drive fast through this area again?
9.
How do you feel about this incident now?
YES
NO