A group of Kingston school children have been approaching drivers who speed and encouraging them to think about the consequences of their actions.

As part of a road safety campaign ‘Speed Down, Save Lives’, they have been working with police and Kingston Council to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding.

Over the course of Road Safety Week, school children wearing yellow safety jackets have been brought up to speak to drivers who have been stopped for speeding.

Kingston Council sustainable transport officer Patrick Long said: “The Junior Roadwatch events have been a real success.

“Some of the encounters have been really impactful with the children asking really challenging questions of the drivers, like ‘how would you like to tell my mum and dad that you injured me?’

“A young female driver, with a young child in her car who was stopped for doing 30mph in a 20mph zone told us afterwards ‘if my child was knocked down outside school it would be the end for me. I can’t believe I was so stupid, I am so sorry’.”

Five deaths and 64 serious injuries happen every day on UK roads.

In another encounter, a driver in a hurry who just wanted to pay the fine and get on with his busy day, changed his tune after he spoke with the school children.

He said: “That was great.

“You rush around and don’t think about the consequences of speeding and to be honest a small fine means nothing to me but speaking to those kids really brought it home to me.

“I’ve got children and you’re right, I shouldn’t have been speeding, sorry.”

Kingston and Richmond safer transport team inspector Darren Brett said: “Each driver we stopped and engaged with left the event reflecting on the possible consequences of their actions and promised to be more mindful.

“It’s important for drivers to be mindful all the time about speeding, but particularly around school zones. We hope that drivers get the message that Speed Down, Saves Lives.”