Parents urged to park responsibly outside schools

With the return of children to the classroom, parents on the school run are being urged to put safety first and park responsibly during drop-off and pick-up times.

Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance will be issuing schools with an e-flyer to share with parents to remind them of the importance to park considerately, and legally, in and around schools.

Inconsiderate parking can have a huge impact on communities across the county,
with cars parked on footpaths, double yellow and white zigzag lines, or too close to junctions and in front of entrances.

The e-flyer aims to raise awareness of the dangers associated with not complying with the Highway Code rules, but more importantly, highlights how illegal parking endangers children and puts other lives at risk.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Prevention Team Leader, Tina Collett said: “Parking outside schools is an issue for many of our communities across the county and we hope by reminding drivers of the rules on parking outside schools, it will make them think twice.

“We hope by sending the e-flyer to all primary and secondary schools, they pass on the information to their parents/guardians to emphasise the point of just how important it is to park considerately, particularly near schools.

“Not only does inconsiderate parking pose a potential danger to children and other pedestrians but it can also cause an obstruction and stop the emergency service vehicles getting through in the event of an emergency.”

In addition to the e-flyer, dedicated patrols will continue to take place in hotspot areas and those who continue to flout the rules could be issued with a fixed penalty notice.