THE latest phase of Operation Quinine - designed to reduce the number of children killed or injured in Dover’s roads - swung into action today when police officers joined with other agencies to target motorists, and their passengers, outside one of the town’s schools.

For several weeks, Kent County Council road safety officers have been visiting schools in the area educating pupils about keeping safe by giving them advice and distributing leaflets for them to take home to their parents (Graham Tutthill writes).

Speeding, stopping on zig-zag lines outside schools, and not wearing seatbelts are three of the offences being targeted as part of the operation. And motorists using Astor Avenue this morning soon found that the authorities mean business.

Working in conjunction with Dover District Council’s parking attendants, the police and road safety officers were outside Priory Fields School for the launch of the enforcement stage of the campaign.

“We want parents and children to think about road safety,” said Sgt Guy Thompson. “This is the second stage of the campaign, to go out and advise them, and enforce regulations.

“This will be going on right through to the end of the term at Christmas, and we will be targeting various schools in the area. We want to reduce the number of child casualties, and so far the figures show we are being successful.”

Between 1994 and 1998, 31 children aged up to 15 were killed or injured on the roads of Dover on average each year. In 2001 the number was 28, it fell to 20 in 2002 and this year, up to the end of August, there has been an encouraging reduction to six.

KCC road safety officer Brian Gray said they wanted to get the message into the minds of parents and children so that they thought about road safety all the time, not just on the school run.

The operation is all part of the Childlife Project which involves three towns in Kent, Dover, Ashford and Gravesend.

This morning, several motorists were stopped because they, or their passengers - usually children - were not wearing seatbelts. Police warned them that they faced a fine.

Up to the age of 14, it is the driver who is responsible for making sure all the passengers are wearing seatbelts or child restraints, and who has to pay a fine if they are not. If the passenger is 14 or over, it’s the passenger who is fined.

One motorist was given a breath test, but this proved negative.

DDC parking supervisor Frank Hawkins, who was also at the scene with one of his colleagues, was on the lookout for motorists stopping on zigzag lines, or vehicles with no tax. The registration numbers of several untaxed cars were taken, and their owners may well be receiving a shock through the post.

One taxi driver will be getting a visit from the council’s licensing officer after he was spotted using his mobile phone while driving.

“We are operating a zero tolerance policy for those who stop in ‘no stopping areas’,” stressed Mr Hawkins.

It is hoped that more parents who live near to schools will walk with their children to school, and that others who have to use a car will park further away and walk their youngsters to the school gate.