Forty motorists were caught speeding in just two hours by youngsters taking part in a new road safety programme created as a legacy to the victim of a tragic hit-and-run road accident.

The pilot scheme has involved pupils from Bradford Academy, the school 12 year-old Bilal Khizar attended when he was killed by a speeding car fleeing from police on Rooley Lane on October 6 last year.

The partnership – involving Bradford Council neighbourhood ward co-ordinators, Safer Schools police officers and parent groups – has been designed to raise awareness of walking, crossing and driving on roads close to the school.

Donna Harper, the school and community learning co-ordinator who devised and led the programme, said the project can make a huge difference to the safety of families and children in the Bowling area.

“All too often we hear of families who have lost loved ones for no other reason than a driver who cares more about the thrill of speeding than the devastation they cause,” she said.

Mrs Harper worked with 60 year three children at the academy, before choosing 16 pupils to become official road safety ambassadors. They will now train other pupils via school assemblies, and speak directly to the schools Police Officer, PC James Czornowol, with any safety concerns.

The children conducted speed checks with PC Czornowol outside the school last week, with 40 motorists clocked speeding within two hours now receiving a warning letter containing a message from pupils saying “Please do not drive fast, because you scare me.”

Funding for the project was secured by Labour councillors Sher Khan and Naveeda Ikram, who used Area Action council funds from their Great Horton ward to subsidise the training programme.

Councillor Ikram said: “This project held a great deal of sentiment and emotion within the community. The memories of Bilal’s accident are still raw among his classmates, so it was important to do something to support them.”

Bilal’s mother, Nisa Khizar – whose sons, Aafacq and Zain, and daughter, Neha, are also Bradford Academy pupils – will display a 4ft circular mosaic created by friends and family in memory of her son to highlight the end of National Road Safety Week on Saturday. After the unveiling at the family home, a road safety drop-in session will be held at the Parkside Community Centre in West Bowling.

Mrs Khizar said: “It is vital that children are aware of the dangers on roads, and schools can really push this message home.

“We can’t change what has happened, but the support and community spirit in projects like this has been wonderful.”