Combat Anti-social Parking

More than a third (35%) of UK parents who drive their children to school admit parking on school safety zig-zag lines.

Police and local councils are taking extra steps to combat anti-social parking outside school gates, with letters being sent out to parents to raise awareness, and even resorting to installing CCTV cameras to catch offenders.

Research by AXA Car Insurance in 2014 claims more than a third (35%) of parents who drive their children to school think it is acceptable to stop or park on school safety zig-zag lines, with a quarter (27%) admitting to doing so.

Official figures show the number of fixed penalty notices issued for stopping on the restricted zig-zag area outside UK schools almost doubled in two years, from 14,564 in 2011 to 28,169 in 2013 – an increase of 93%.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said:

“The school run is increasingly dangerous for children with thousands injured or having a near-miss accident around schools every year.”

The UK Highway Code states that motorists must not wait or park or stop to set down and pick up passengers on the yellow zig-zags which mark school entrances, so why do motorists continue to do this?

Worryingly, over 41% of parents in a survey for the sustainable transport group, Sustrans, say their child has had a near-miss traffic accident going to or from school. 

Recently, cameras with automatic number plate recognition technology were attached to lamp posts outside three primary schools in Dorset to deter motorists, with drivers sent fines in the post.  The cameras were also programmed to capture drivers who exceed their stay at designated pick-up points, with schools threatening to enforce on-the-spot fines after initial warnings.

With this appearing to solve the problem for some, can we really expect to see this expensive technology installed across the country? With council budgets tightening year after year, surely a more affordable solution is available?

Help combat this fast-growing problem with UK School Signs

Here at UK School Signs we believe cleverly designed signage is the answer.  Bright yellow signs with the widely recognised Think! branding are more likely to be noticed by parents then plain white backed signs. We believe signs should not only be visually appealing and practical, but also affordable.  Our bestselling portable freestanding sign stands are perfect for roadside use and are strong enough to withstand everything the British weather can throw at them. They’re easy to pick up and re-position with the convenient carry handle, and can be easily folded flat and stored away outside of school-run times. 

Join the hundreds of schools who have already eased their anti-social parking problems, check out the full range today!

Don’t just take our word for it…

"We are over the moon with our school parking signs - they work wonderfully and also make traffic slow down when they see them. Everyone in general takes more care on the road outside of our school because of the warning sign on them."

St. Patrick's R.C. Primary School, Preston

"We have found the A frames extremely useful and have received no complaints from parents or local residents only compliments as they are much smaller and much less obtrusive than the ones the school had made, but because of their colour much more visible. Because of their size and mobility they are easy to store and move in and out of school."

St. Augustine of Canterbury R.C. Primary School, Burnley