NEARLY 300 children aged nine to 11, from 145 schools in Hampshire, will be training to become Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSOs) this month.

JRSOs will become ambassadors for road safety at their school.

They will not only lead by example, but be given the knowledge and confidence to teach fellow pupils all about the importance of safety when walking to and from school.

This is the sixth year the county council scheme has been running, and each year more schools have come on board as they want to see an improvement in safety around their school.

Councillor Seán Woodward, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: “Junior Road Safety Officers play a crucial role in schools by teaching their friends the importance of road safety and what they can do to keep themselves safe.

“The scheme also aims to give children a good grounding in road safety education as they prepare for the transition to secondary school – the point at which many children begin to travel independently for the first time.”

The JRSO scheme is run through primary and junior schools, with the school recruiting up to two pupil volunteers to act as road safety champions, and take the lead in promoting road safety among their peers, through initiatives such as games, competitions and special assemblies.