Staying off the lines could save lives

School parking restrictions

Many schools are suffering from the actions of thoughtless drivers who continue to use the zig-zag restricted zone, to drop off and collect their children. The yellow lines painted outside schools are there to prevent cars parking directly outside school gates, and help create a safe environment for children who may need to cross the road.

Impact Partnership manages road safety and parking in the borough on behalf of the council. Impact’s road safety team recently carried out a joint initiative, with Greater Manchester Police, to encourage school children to volunteer to work alongside Police Community Support Officers as Junior PCSOs. The scheme hoped that children may be more influential in helping to reduce the number of people who ignore the prohibited zigzags outside school gates, and as a consequence put their young lives in danger.

From 1st September of this year, new powers brought in under the Traffic Management Act 2004 will be applied to our Civil Parking Enforcement. This means that should a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) be prevented from issue due to violence, threats of violence or, the vehicle being driven away, a PCN can be served through the post.

Stuart Howarth, Impact’s Road Safety Officer, said: “It is not the intention to just book drivers, for the sake of it. Our main concern is for the school children’s safety. Zig-zag lines create a sight line, which allows children to see, and be seen clearly, before they cross. Parked vehicles can mask children trying to cross the road and the potentially tragic outcome should be clear to all.

”By enforcing these no park zones, drivers will hopefully understand the importance of keeping the area clear. The majority of drivers do take notice of these restrictions, but unfortunately there are a persistent minority of inconsiderate drivers who don’t seem to care for the safety of others, we hope that if they will not take heed of the safety aspect then a £70 PCN will make them stop this potentially fatal habit.”