PUPILS are gunning for foot-to-the-floor motorists in a bid to make streets around their schools safer.

Cumbria Police has announced the launch of its new Mini Police road safety initiative.

The force's Citizen’s in Policing (CIP) team will provide uniquely designed road safety signs for Cumbria Mini Police schools to use in their road safety awareness campaigns.

The signs will be used outside schools and in their community to promote key parts of the Highway Code, hazard awareness and general road safety.

This project has been financially supported by the Casualty Reduction and Safer Highways (CRASH) multi-agency group.

And children from Ormsgill Primary School in Barrow have spent a day with Barrow Police - using the laser gun to see if anyone was speeding in the area, as well as designing their own posters to advise drivers about their speed.

Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “The new Mini Police signs are an excellent way of refreshing everyone’s memory as to why we must never forget safety on any roads in Cumbria, especially those around schools.

“Whilst I understand some parents want to drive and pick up their children as close to the school gates as possible, anti-social parking and erratic driving is selfish and has the potential to be dangerous. We also need to be aware that at these times, there are many young pedestrians and new cyclists using the roads and pavements, so extra care and attention is needed when driving and parking around schools, not less.

“Encouraging people to slow down, give themselves more time to react and spot danger, be more aware of cyclists and use extra caution before pulling out or into spaces is great advice. These new signs are eye-catching and remind drivers that safety should be their priority.”