Hi-Visability Vests To Help Kids Stay Safe
Children in the Highlands are being helped by partners stay visible and safe over the dark, winter months with hi-visibility vests featuring road safety messages for drivers.
Bibs for Kids was started last year by Moray Firth Radio’s Cash For Kids and with the successful partnership between them, Northern Constabulary, Northern Safety Camera Partnership and the Highland Council will see a total of 4,000 being made available to children across the Highlands.
The bibs are aimed at primary children to place over their jackets, which are fluorescent in colour and have reflective strips to ensure they are seen in the dark and they are all for free!
Nicola Cope, MFR Cash for Kids, spoke of the campaign: “We’re delighted to be able to offer these hi-visibility bibs to children throughout the North of Scotland. It’s vitally important that our children are safe and seen while cycling or walking throughout the winter months and hopefully these bibs will make a difference.”
“It’s really easy to apply for a bib. We have 4000 available for children from the age of 4 to 10. You can either visit our website – www.mfr.co.uk/cashforkids or give us a call on 01463 224433.”
Northern Safety Camera Partnership Manager, Inspector John Smith said: "This MFR campaign gives us an opportunity to build on the work that we are already doing with school crossing patrollers across the Highlands.
“This is an ideal opportunity to remind drivers to be aware of their speed, not just around schools and not just at camera sites, but at any time they are behind the wheel.
“Our job at Northern Safety Camera Partnership is to get the message across that excessive and inappropriate speed puts lives at risk. We will do all that we can to encourage drivers to slow down and keep to a safe speed, the consequences of excessive speed can so often be a great deal more serious than just three points on your licence."
Road Safety Officer for Northern Constabulary, Laura Fisher commented: “We are delighted to be working with MFR Cash for Kids to get so many bibs produced this year.
“We hope this will help the visibility of young children but ultimately the message is for all drivers to reduce their speed around built up areas, especially around schools.
“This is about keeping our children in the Highlands safe, but ultimately it’s about reminding drivers to watch their speed.”
Councillor John Laing, Chairman of Highland Council’s TEC Services said: “The Highland Council is delighted to be part of this very worthwhile initiative.
“These high visibility bibs for our primary 1-3 pupils will ensure children throughout the Highlands are seen during the winter months as they travel to and from school.
“It will also assist in our continuing work to encourage pupils to travel actively to school whilst reinforcing the ‘Be Safe Be Seen’ message to all age groups.”
Bibs are available on a first-come, first served basis and can be ordered through the MFR website on www.mfr.co.uk/cashforkids or by calling 01463 224433.