Crackdown on dangerous parking outside Sunderland schools launched

As part of Road Safety Week, schools in Sunderland are being visited by City Council staff and pupils are being sent home with reminders about how ‘poor parking’ puts their lives at risk.

Drivers are reminded in the leaflets, to NOT park on ‘keep clear’ road markings, NOT park on yellow zig-zags or lines and to NOT double park.

Mark Jackson, Sunderland City Council's Assistant Director of Infrastructure and Transport, said: "Parking responsibly helps keep your children safe and reduces congestion around the school gates and nearby properties."If you park irresponsibly, there is a danger to others and you can be penalised."Introduced in 2013, the council's Road Safety camera car patrols during term-time.

Last year, 347 drivers received penalty charge notices because they had not parked properly near a city school.Mr Jackson said: "The 'smarter parkers' message is reminding all drivers to think more carefully when near schools."Parents can sometimes be tempted to park where they shouldn’t when they’re in a hurry, late for work, don’t want their children to get wet in bad weather and because 'it's only for a moment'."By parking where you shouldn't, you are potentially putting your own and other people’s children at risk."By the end of this week, Friday, November 22 nearly, 8,000 'smarter parker' leaflets will have been distributed to 130 schools and academies.