POLICE Scotland has launched its national Vulnerable Road Users campaign and is urging children to stay safe as they go back to school.

Figures show that child pedestrians are more at risk before and after school hours at 8am, from 3-6pm and with a peak at 3pm.

The campaign kick-started on Monday (24 August) and will focus on three groups – children, cyclists and the elderly – with the current phase encouraging youngsters settling into a new term to remain vigilant while crossing roads.

Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, head of road policing, said: “Pedestrians, especially the young and the elderly, are particularly at risk, and as kids across the country go back to school, we want to make drivers think about how their actions, carelessness or inattention may impact these vulnerable groups.

“After nearly eight weeks of holidays, the roads will again be busier in the mornings and during the late afternoon. The area in the immediate vicinity of schools and residential estates will see more activity, and there is always the chance a child could step onto the road without looking properly.

“We are therefore asking drivers, parents and children themselves to be careful, and to develop new stay safe routines as the school term starts. To help to focus minds, officers will prioritise activity in and around these areas of vulnerability to make sure that the roads are safe for all.

“The roads of Scotland are used in a myriad of ways by differing groups of people, and each has its own needs, risks and vulnerabilities. We all share the same roads, and it is therefore vitally important we all further develop our understanding of what these risks and vulnerabilities are if we are to maintain respect for each other, and to use the roads safely.”