Getting the policy makers to listen? Easy!

Grosvenor Grammar School students have policy makers falling over themselves to assist with their project.
 
Grosvenor Grammar School has been involved with the Civic-Link project for a number of years and are partnered with St Brigid's Secondary School, Killarney and with Wood River High School, Idaho. This year's Civic-Link group from Grosvenor, who are using a Human Rights approach to examining and solving community problems, have identified the lack of road safety around the school as the issue they would like to see solved. They feel the problem relates to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 3: 'Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.'

Why this problem?

The 12 year 13's involved chose this Human Rights problem as it affects not only students but local residents, including the very young and elderly and general road users. As part of their research into the existence of the problem, the students have been able to use recent local newspaper reports of accidents, which have involved pedestrian injuries. They also have first hand accounts from fellow students and residents who have been knocked down. The lack of road safety, which is caused by the volume and speed of traffic, also impacts on other aspects of the lives of those involved: education, general well-being and confidence to travel.

What solution?

As part of their research, the students have contacted a range of policy makers, advocating for the improvement of the traffic situation in their area and raising awareness of the problem. So far, they have received letters of support from Peter Robinson First Minister, the DRD- who are responsible for the roads and Principals of other local schools, offering support for the project.

As a result of their research and examining other policies in Scotland and England, the students have decided the best solution would be the implementation of a 20 mile an hour zone around the school. They have reports and first hand accounts from communities using this solution and the results indicate that it works. They have considered other solutions, like speed bumps. However, speed bumps already exist in the area and have not solved the problem. Due to the residential nature of the streets surrounding the school, it would be difficult to implement traffic lights or pedestrian crossings.  

Considering the wide-spread support from policy makers for their project so far, the GGS should have great success in implementing their solution.