Information Bulletin
7 February 2005
Slappits
Shetland Islands Council Road Safety Section has just completed the distribution of 3100 road safety armbands to Shetlands schools. All primary and nursery children received a "Slappit", a high-visibility rigid strip that slaps round arms or schoolbags or bikes.
The aim was to give children something to wear that is fashionable, fun, yet could be clearly seen by motorists. Road Safety clothing is sometimes seen as boring however the interest in Slappits has been huge. The brightly coloured "Slappits" can be seen on the arms of children all over Shetland at the moment.
Last year Unst schoolchildren received "Slappits" courtesy of the Community Safety Partnership and organised by Corporal Mick Dyer of RAF Saxavord. They were so well received that the Road Safety section of Shetland Islands Council decided to make them widely available to all primary and nursery age children using funding from the Community Safety Partnership.
Road Safety Co-ordinator for the Council Karen-Anne Wilson said " We were encouraged by the success of this project in Unst last year and were delighted to receive sponsorship to enable us to follow suit and include every primary and nursery age child in Shetland this year. We continue to encourage road safety in children and adults alike along with our road safety partners which includes Northern Constabulary and RAF Saxavord"
Chief Inspector Andy Cowie, Chairman of Shetland Community Safety Partnership said, "Shetland Community Safety Partnership are delighted to support this initiative to keep children safe in the dark winter months."
Alasdair Inkster, Chairman of the Road Safety Advisory Panel said, " I welcome this initiative. Shetland has the longest, darkest winters in the UK and many of our roads are unlit, rural roads. It is often difficult to detect people and Slappits will enable drivers to see pedestrians at a distance therefore increasing road safety."
Photograph shows brothers Jack (10) and Sam (6) Pearson demonstrate the Slappits which have been provided by Shetland Community Safety Partnership watched over by Shetland Islands Council Road Safety Officer Karen-Anne Wilson and Northern Constabulary Community Safety Sergeant Finlay MacBeath.
