Meet the pupils teaching speeders a lesson in Kids Court

Drivers caught speeding on a stretch of road outside a rural school are being taught some lessons by the pupils.

The unsuspecting motorists are given the option of taking penalty points or attending Kids Court.

If they accept, the drivers go to a classroom where they face an array of questions from children aged 10 and 11.

One pupil, Eva, said: "This will help the school and people who come into the Kids Court will slow down, and it will be more safer for the kids and parents to cross the road."

Another pupil of Artigarvan Primary School in County Tyrone, Layla, said: "It's very serious knowing some people can end up either in the hospital or worse.

"It's a good idea to not speed because it's not only our lives in danger - it's yours as well."

Ethna Wiley, from the board of governors, said it was beneficial to both children and motorists.

She said the car park was across the road from the school and on a busy road.

"We are fearful for our children crossing the road," Wiley said.

"So by having this Kids Court we are trying to raise the awareness of speed and the danger of speeding cars going through our village."

Most of the drivers had an excuse for their behaviour but said they had learned their lesson from the youngsters.

Driver Arron Cooley said he thought it was a good idea as it put motorists on the spot.

"We can all speed from time to time and it's that lack of attention that can cause accidents," he said.

"I've got children myself so I'm normally always careful especially around schools."

Cooley said he had been driving for 19 years with no penalty points.

"I was rushing because I'm doing a renovation and I've got builders that need materials and it was literally for that," he said.

"I'm not an angel by any means but I don't normally speed around."

He said he had learned a valuable lesson from his interaction with the children.

"To have more due care and attention when I'm driving."

Police said provisional figures showed between 1 January and 22 March this year there were 18 road traffic fatalities in Northern Ireland.

Supt John Wilson said the initiative was about trying to change drivers' behaviour.

"As part of our commitment to road safety, we are continually working with schools throughout Northern Ireland to educate pupils about road safety and raise awareness," he said.

"The pupils are educating drivers who speed outside their school about the potential consequences of speeding, the main reasons people are dying on our roads, and why they must slow down."

Wilson said the Kids Court scheme was about making the roads safer for everyone who uses them - children and adults - whether they are pedestrians, cyclists or motorists.

"Having drivers come into the school, meeting pupils face-to-face asking uncomfortable questions, personalises the message about road safety... it brings it home in a very powerful," he said.

"Speeding is not a low level crime. It's dangerous because with speed there are no second chances and lives can be lost. "

A number of kids courts have been taking place across Northern Ireland.

The children in Artigarvan Primary School certainly enjoyed taking part.

Alesha said: "It's not just about protecting us. It's about protecting students, staff and parents and also we need to stop the speeding because it could also hurt the drivers."

Robert was equally enthusiastic about the initiative.

"It's a great honour to be part of it and it will help the school greatly and stop the risk of people being hit or worse," he said.