For countless families nationwide, this week signals the return to classroom life, bringing with it dawn alarm calls and the familiar routine of the busy daily school run. As hectic as it can get, parents must still exercise caution, as they could find themselves facing penalties due to careless driving practices.
Mothers and fathers are being urged to prioritise safe drop-offs and collections, regardless of how pressed for time they might be. Mike Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Leasing Options, has highlighted the fines that parents are most susceptible to receiving, reports the Mirror.
Mike says: “Going back to school this September, parents need to be careful driving and parking, and not just to avoid a fine or penalty.” The school run in the UK generally happens between 8am and 9am for drop-off, and 3pm and 4pm for pick-up.
One particularly widespread regulation that parents should bear in mind is frequently encountered outside schools across Britain. Mike has cautioned that stopping on yellow zig-zag ‘keep clear’ markings immediately outside school entrances can lead to an immediate £70 penalty.
This charge, also referred to as a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), typically costs £70 but can be halved to £35 if settled within a fortnight. These parking restrictions exist to maintain clear sightlines for both motorists and pupils, with the zones being actively monitored, frequently through CCTV systems.
He continued: “While parking on double yellow lines is always prohibited, parents can be guilty of doing this if they are running late during the school run, this can also result in a £70 fine. However, it is worth researching your rights regarding a PCN fine, as factors such as the wrong signage, or recently changed road markings can be grounds for an appeal.”
Another traffic regulation to be wary of is leaving the engine running while parked outside of schools. Mike says: “It can lead to an on-the-spot £20 fine, issued under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions Regulations 2002), and could rise to £40 if unpaid within the required timeframe.
“This comes as councils are under increasing pressure to crack down on environmental issues. Many areas are also now operating ‘School Streets’, where roads are closed to non-residents during drop-off and pick-up times. Driving through these zones when restrictions are in place can trigger fines of between £60-£130.”
The third regulation parents need to be aware of involves checking the inside of their car. Mike explains: “Parents can also risk a £100 fine and three penalty points if their child is not strapped into their child seat properly.”
He warns that police occasionally carry out safety checks to ensure children are in the appropriate seats. However, they are more likely to do this around schools where families are more common.
“These fines demonstrate that the school run can quickly become expensive if rules are ignored, which is why councils recommend parking a short walk away from schools, and instead walking to the gates,” Mike said.
