Corridors of death

[Thracian]

The school run is now responsible for more deaths or serious injuries to children in Britain than anything else according to the Daily Express.

The victim count totals 2025 or the equivalent of 80 school classes and it is hardly suprising.

Twice a day often small roads by schools are like crowded taxi ranks of parents stopping and starting their cars, cutting into the pavements, moving out to the carriageway.

And as if the big estate cars so often chosen for family vehicles weren't bad enough the school run is now awash with those monstrous four-wheeel drives, so big a driver has virtually no chance of noticing a kiddy running under a nearside wheel before the damage is done.

Various speed cutting measures seem to have had no effect because there's been a 20% rise in child deaths and, again, it is hardly surprising because there's ever more traffic, ever bigger vehicles and it could well be that the slower movement of vehicles and reduced visibility from parked People Carriers might mean more danger in some situations rather than less.

For a start it's hard to hear a motor that is virtually idling and the combination of kids not hearing vehicles, reduced visibility and drivers of People Carriers not being able to see small children on their inside is a recipe for disaster. At least that's my observations.

It really is time the probem was given some proper thought.

[The People's Hero]

This is going to sound extremely harsh and it probably is, but parents should take an active role in educating their children about road safety and try to keep some sort of control over them too if they are taking them to school.

Alarming statistics though - and I quite agree, something needs to be done.

[Kent Fox]

Not really sure if this comes under General Football and Sport, Thracian, but well pointed out.

I don't know why we can't go back to the good ol' days of the school bus.

And BAN women from driving BIG 4x4's and people carriers - half of them can't see over the wheel and they certainly cannot reverse them.

And before the women here have a go, I know this to be a fact as I see it when I get my daughter from school.

[The People's Hero]

Not really sure if this comes under General Football and Sport, Thracian, but well pointed out.

I don't know why we can't go back to the good ol' days of the school bus.

And BAN women from driving BIG 4x4's and people carriers - half of them can't see over the wheel and they certainly cannot reverse them.

And before the women here have a go, I know this to be a fact as I see it when I get my daughter from school.

All the worst drivers seem to have big, heavy, strong cars like 4x4s.

Pretty scary sitting in a mr2 when some stupid woman is trying to reverse a massive vehicle not far away.

[Kent Fox]

This is going to sound extremely harsh and it probably is, but parents should take an active role in educating their children about road safety and try to keep some sort of control over them too if they are taking them to school.

Alarming statistics though - and I quite agree, something needs to be done.

Spot the non-parent!

I know what you're trying to say there and I agree, but I think that most 'normal' parents do this. However, kids get distracted very easily and they are bloody quick!

[davieG]

Well free buses would be a start, surely the costs is worth it!

Smaller schools not bigger would also reduce the travelling and probably provide better education.

[The People's Hero]

Spot the non-parent!

I know what you're trying to say there and I agree, but I think that most 'normal' parents do this. However, kids get distracted very easily and they are bloody quick!

Guilty as charged!

[THEBIGJOHNSTEADER;]

This is going to sound extremely harsh and it probably is, but parents should take an active role in educating their children about road safety and try to keep some sort of control over them too if they are taking them to school.

Alarming statistics though - and I quite agree, something needs to be done.

I drive from the city center every day and most the children, particularly boys, just walk out into the road and take no notice, I often have to use the old slammers most mornings these days, if I was half asleep I reckon I've have nailed one or two of the skinny little spiky haired sport clothes wearing bastards. Therefore I agree with TPH, the children need educating. Crazy road junctions don't help either, and you often see them not being manned by those people carrying giant lollipops

[Lord Nibblington]

Guilty as charged!

To your current knowledge....

[Head Honcho]

The school run is now responsible for more deaths or serious injuries to children in Britain than anything else according to the Daily Express.

The victim count totals 2025 or the equivalent of 80 school classes and it is hardly suprising.

Twice a day often small roads by schools are like crowded taxi ranks of parents stopping and starting their cars, cutting into the pavements, moving out to the carriageway.

And as if the big estate cars so often chosen for family vehicles weren't bad enough the school run is now awash with those monstrous four-wheeel drives, so big a driver has virtually no chance of noticing a kiddy running under a nearside wheel before the damage is done.

Various speed cutting measures seem to have had no effect because there's been a 20% rise in child deaths and, again, it is hardly surprising because there's ever more traffic, ever bigger vehicles and it could well be that the slower movement of vehicles and reduced visibility from parked People Carriers might mean more danger in some situations rather than less.

For a start it's hard to hear a motor that is virtually idling and the combination of kids not hearing vehicles, reduced visibility and drivers of People Carriers not being able to see small children on their inside is a recipe for disaster. At least that's my observations.

It really is time the probem was given some proper thought.

What's the alternative?

You can't force parents not to drive the kids to school!

You can however make sure that kids aren't dropped off outside the school. This imo is the problem. It is illegal to park or drop off outside most schools in this country yet the police and local authorities fail to enforce this.

[davieG]

Spot the non-parent!

I know what you're trying to say there and I agree, but I think that most 'normal' parents do this. However, kids get distracted very easily and they are bloody quick!

Unfortunately some parents get equally distracted, I regularly go by a primary school and for the parents gossiping with other parents seems to be prevalent, not only are kids waltzing off on their own but the poor little blighters can't get a word in about the day they've just had.

I've seen many a near miss!

[Kent Fox]

When I was young - a long time ago - we knew of this man:

BRING BACK PUBLIC INFORMATION ADVERTS

[Zingari]

Unfortunately some parents get equally distracted, I regularly go by a primary school and for the parents gossiping with other parents seems to be prevalent, not only are kids waltzing off on their own but the poor little blighters can't get a word in about the day they've just had.

I've seen many a near miss!

thats right blame the single mothers

[Kent Fox]

Unfortunately some parents get equally distracted, I regularly go by a primary school and for the parents gossiping with other parents seems to be prevalent, not only are kids waltzing off on their own but the poor little blighters can't get a word in about the day they've just had.

I've seen many a near miss!

Well said!

Doesn't it p**s you off to see gossiping women with nothing better to do yack-yack-yacking without a clue of what's going on around them!!

[Head Honcho]

Well free buses would be a start, surely the costs is worth it!

Smaller schools not bigger would also reduce the travelling and probably provide better education.

Just one problem though. Instead of schools roads being congested you're going to have bus stops being congested.

If it meant little Johnny having to walk more than a hundred yards he's still going to want a lift to the bus stop!

[Thracian]

Not really sure if this comes under General Football and Sport, Thracian, but well pointed out.

I don't know why we can't go back to the good ol' days of the school bus.

And BAN women from driving BIG 4x4's and people carriers - half of them can't see over the wheel and they certainly cannot reverse them.

And before the women here have a go, I know this to be a fact as I see it when I get my daughter from school.

It doesn't! I've asked one of the moderators to move it when he gets the chance.

[Head Honcho]

When I was young - a long time ago - we knew of this man:

BRING BACK PUBLIC INFORMATION ADVERTS

He was around when I was a nipper but on one hand I was told not to talk to strangers and on the other there was this advert with some big bloke in a green suit asking you accompany him across the road!

[Kent Fox]

Just one problem though. Instead of schools roads being congested you're going to have bus stops being congested.

If it meant little Johnny having to walk more than a hundred yards he's still going to want a lift to the bus stop!

That's because they're all lazy little buggers.

I had to walk a fair way to get my school bus. It's just the way it was!

Simple! Effective!

[Kent Fox]

He was around when I was a nipper but on one hand I was told not to talk to strangers and on the other there was this advert with some big bloke in a green suit asking you accompany him across the road!

Yeah, but he was such a nice man!

And he had a uniform which made it ok because you could talk to policemen.

I'll bet you still teach your kids not to talk to strangers though.

Assuming you have kids.

So they worked!

Didn't they???

[Zingari]

When I was young - a long time ago - we knew of this man:

BRING BACK PUBLIC INFORMATION ADVERTS

yes but he became darth vader ; i wouldn't want him showing the kids across the road ; bring back tufty

[Katy]

Well said!

Doesn't it p**s you off to see gossiping women with nothing better to do yack-yack-yacking without a clue of what's going on around them!!

I saw some blokes doing that today actually

I have no choice but to drive my daughter to school, when she is old enough she can use the village school taxi. I try and park away from the school but it is actually difficult to, unless I park on the A1

[Daggers]

I blame Daily Express readers.

They are all too busy worrying about illegal immigrants, socialists and homosexuals that they clean forget to look where they are driving.

They should be weeded out during the test process. The daft hats and driving gloves should be a bit of a give-away.

[Milky]

Isn't it just natural selection. If a kid is so thick that they can't be vigilant around moving vehicles.

[Daggers]

Isn't it just natural selection. If a kid is so thick that they can't be vigilant around moving vehicles.

What, nature has replaced big carnivores with cars to take down the young and old?

Sounds more like the new Tory health policy, if they had one.

[davieG]

I saw some blokes doing that today actually

I have no choice but to drive my daughter to school, when she is old enough she can use the village school taxi. I try and park away from the school but it is actually difficult to, unless I park on the A1

You're right Katy, my apologies gossiping men as well.

Unfortunately like most local government school initiatives cheap land is the priority, given the chance they'd build a school on landfill, if they haven't already done so.