Accordingly, officers will be looking out for drivers who are driving at excessive speeds along school routes and at drivers and passengers who fail to belt up.

Evidence over a five year period up to and including 2006, highlighted that one in five road-related collisions involving children resulted in a school child being killed or seriously injured. Furthermore, one in eight children killed on roads, died during a journey to or from school.

Though many of the roads schools are on are subject to 30 miles per hour speed limits, there are a number of schools in Tayside where the speed limit is temporarily cut to 20 miles per hour during peak times - when children are coming to school, during lunch break and when at home time.

Those reduced speed limits are active when the amber lights on the sign are illuminated.

There are also a number of areas such as housing estates where the maximum speed limit has been permanently reduced to 20 miles per hour. All are clearly signposted.

Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman, head of road policing in Tayside said:
"Considerable progress has been made in reducing casualties on our roads, but there is always room for improvement, as one casualty is one too many.

"Drivers should always reduce their speeds in response to where they are and what is around them at the time. This is never more important than when on any roads where children are making their way to or from school."

The Highway Code states that, as a guide, the overall stopping distances for a car in an emergency are as follows:- 12 metres at 20mph (three car lengths); 23 metres at 30 miles per hour (six car lengths); 36 metres at 40 miles per hour (nine car lengths).

Chief Inspector Bowman added: "These stopping distances clearly show the importance of reducing speed and increasing the chances of stopping in time - should a child run out into the road. Also, by slowing down drivers will lessen the impact and severity of any collision should one happen.

"A child struck by a vehicle at 40 miles per hour will almost certainly be killed. A child struck at 20 miles per hour will most likely survive."

Police officers will be proactive in enforcing seat belt and speeding legislation between 8am and 5pm during today's campaign.

Seatbelts, allied to reduced speed, are vital in reducing casualties on the road. Tayside Police would encourage people to wear their seat belts no matter how short their journey. The school run can often be a short trip in the car, but it is important that the driver and their young passengers are properly secured in the vehicle.

Children up to the age of three in the front or rear of the vehicle must be placed in a correct child seat.

Children older than three but less than 135cm (approximately 4'5" tall), or under 12-years-old - whichever they reach first - must use a correct child restraint, such as a booster seat and adult seatbelt. If one is not available they can use an adult seat belt in the rear, but only under certain conditions.

The driver is legally responsible for ensuring that anyone under 14 years of age is suitably restrained with an appropriate seat belt or child restraint.

Anyone stopped for speeding is liable to receive a conditional offer of fixed penalty of £60 and three points on their licence. Anyone stopped for failing to wear a seat belt is liable for a £30 penalty.
Slow down, put on your seat belt and 'Don't Risk It'.