A NEW campaign has been launched in Gwent to help reduce car speeds near schools and protect children.

The 20mph Rule Outside Schools campaign is being launched and aims to make roads safer for communities.

The Gwent launch of the campaign took place last week at the Charles Williams Church in Wales Primary School in Caerleon.

GoSafe - The Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership is enforcing in 20mph areas and educating drivers about the importance of adhering to the relevant limit.

A campaign spokeswoman said: “While 20mph areas, both zones and limits, have been around for some time it is important that drivers understand that those 20mph areas are there to improve safety, and that failure to keep within the limit puts children at risk, and leaves drivers liable to prosecution.

“GoSafe will be focusing enforcement around 20mph areas outside schools in September. Better enforcement within these areas will increase compliance to the speed limit and contribute to the safety of the roads in Wales.”

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, while there is a 20 per cent chance of fatal injury when someone is hit by a car travelling at 30mph, this reduces to just 2.5 per cent if the car is travelling at 20mph.