Young traffic wardens tackle parents bad parking outside school
By Gareth Davies
gareth.davies@essnmedia.co.uk
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WELCOME REMINDER: The young traffic wardens take to the streets
A school has recruited its own mini-traffic wardens to tackle dangerous parking on a busy road.
Courtwood Primary has been plagued by drivers who are ignoring zigzag lines and a bus lane, to park closer to the school.
In a bid to tackle the problem Courtwood has turned to four of its pupils to make sure parents drop off and pick up their children responsibly.
Before and after school on Wednesday, the Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSOs) unfurled banners in Court Wood Lane, Forestdale, reminding parents to find a safe place to park.
Teacher Dennis Irwin believes the school children were teaching parents a valuable lesson.
He said: "We wanted to encourage parents to think about where they were parking and I think it went very well. We got a lot of positive feedback.
"We thought it important for the JRSOs to remind drivers of the dangers before the school breaks up for summer.
"Parents had been thinking more carefully when they were parking (following a newsletter sent out by the school) which had seen a reduction in the problem.
"But is has started to flare up again, particularly in the area directly outside the school."
The pupils were shortlisted from dozens who volunteered for the role and those on this shortlist then faced an election by their classmates to be the pupils' road safety representatives.
One banner was placed by the main entrance to the school, with the other situated by the driveway used by the school's reception classes.
Mr Irwin said: "The majority of the problems occur near the main entrance.
"Parents park too close which makes it dangerous for the children to cross.
"The pupils have taken a keen interest in the issue and have been the driving force behind the banners."
Last December worried mum Michelle McGeary launched a one-woman crusade to improve road safety outside the school.
Mrs McGeary, 33, of Calley Down Crescent, New Addington, has two children, Callun, 9, and Tiffany, 7, at Courtwood Primary.
She welcomed the involvement of pupils to tackle inconsiderate parking.
She said: "Hopefully now the kids have taken a stand it might make a difference but I doubt it.
"Things got a little better when I spoke out but it was back to being diabolical in no time at all.
"Some parents obviously do not have very high IQs. Either that or they do not care about their children or anyone else's.
"I'll keep moaning about it because one of these days a child is going to be killed."
7 Comments
by shelly price, new addington
Monday, July 13 2009, 9:47AM
“Children's safety comes first parents don't seem to care about their own children all they care about is what they look like in their new cars, selfish , not sensible they don't check their children are belted up ither come on you had them think of them . I read a book by sarah tucker so when i went to my childrens school i noticed that the book is telling the truth about most schools platground mafia : not the children the parents they don't take no for an answer , not allowed to park here, there corners of the road on zigzags, bus lanes . THINK BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING.”
by jay, Coulsdon
Monday, July 13 2009, 12:01AM
“It always seems to be the ones with the tiniest children (who seem to be unable to walk 20 yards to school) in the largest 4x4 Chelsea tractors where the mother is usually on the phone, doing something else but driving, but the clincher is they always seem unable to let their child out on the pavement side it's always in the road side - have they taken driving lessons?
No matter how many nice letters from the school they get, no matter how many afternoon drinking mums turn up at the school (you can smell it on them), no matter how many signs are up at the school - THEY DON'T think it applies to them or their little Chanels or Damiens or whatever silly name they have invented for them. Tiny brains, they should be the ones at school learning how NOT to endanger theirs and other people's lives.
OR they could simply go to their nearest school and walk the few feet thus unclogging the roads creating less pollution for us to breathe in. That way there would be less obesity in children & parents.”
by Mrs P, Thornton Heath
Sunday, July 12 2009, 11:37PM
“Ignorant people do not seem to understand what zig-zag lines are for - DO NOT PARK THERE! THEY RESTRICT THE VIEW, SO AN INNOCENT PERSON (SUCH AS I) COULD BE DRIVING BY AND KNOCK DOWN YOUR CHILD BECAUSE MY VIEW IS RESTRICTED!!!
I collect children from two schools, and it's a nightmare.
Good on this school.”
by The3rd, Croydon
Sunday, July 12 2009, 10:18AM
“Why are the worst offenders woman in massive 4x4 with 1 kid in the back seat?”
by Neighbour, close-by
Saturday, July 11 2009, 10:38AM
“Maybe they'll stop the parents parking in the private road that's next to the school now!”
by Spongeblip, Unfortunately Croydon
Friday, July 10 2009, 6:10PM
“Damned if you get your kids to school late because of the numourous dug up roads and traffic contraventions, epic record waits at temporary traffic lights, battling against the odds and damned if you finally make it within one second (due to the unexplainable amount of roads being dug up) and parking outside the school, when no one is around (i.e. no kids are in danger as they have already inside the school) and popping little Reginald &/or Felicity onto the pavement outside the gate.. Ohh I am sorry for making sure I am adamant to get my child to school on time, avoiding late marks etc.. I would rather do that and receive a £50 + fine, rather than having a late mark against her name...”
by worried, south norwood
Friday, July 10 2009, 3:26PM
“it is rife with all primary schools, woodside which is situated on a busy road is a particular nightmare, as are many others. It seems that small children arent allowed exercise, or also to get a bit wet in the rain, what a society we are raising.
come on parents have some common sense, get your child/ren to school ON TIME and also be safe, it was due to so many accidents and deaths of children that the whole zig zag system was introduced.”