Winter is still well and truly amongst us, with the days seemingly shorter and darker nights drawing in too quickly, makes us, as parents, a little more wary of our children’s safety whilst travelling to school.
Parenting on Female First
A recent survey has revealed that the popular mode of transport during winter is by car which has raised concerns over the speed limit around the parameters of schools.
‘Allianz Your Cover,’ found that 39% of parents have witnessed or know about car accidents between parents outside the school gates.
A further 75% of people doing the school run have witnessed aggressive behaviour amongst parents searching for parking spots.
This has led to parents questioning the speed limit as it is now, and to ensure school run safety, the majority of parents, 79%, would like to see 20mph speed limit zones around schools to help curb accidents, with quarter of a mile radius being the most favoured distance.
However, 70% of parents surveyed feel their child is safe during the school run, but 19% worry about their child going to and from school on their own during the dark winter months and 14% worry more about accidents happening during the winter. As a result walking to school becomes a less popular option for parents during winter.
Jon Lott, of Allianz Your Cover Insurance said: "With almost a fifth (19%) of parents worrying about other cars driving near the school gates because of accidents, we support calls for increased safety around schools.
"Getting children to the school gates safely is of the upmost importance and often the competition for parking spaces, busy parents and the need to be on time can distract from this."
The average British school run is 7.6 miles and 56% of British children are now being driven to school as 54% of parents consider cars as the safest way of getting their children to school. Walking is the second most popular way of getting children to school with 28%.
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