Safer school parking campaign in Christchurch - Vizzit Christchurch Online Magazine

Safer school parking campaign in Christchurch

Dorset Police and Christchurch Borough Council have joined forces with schools throughout the Borough to raise awareness of safe parking regulations outside schools.

The campaign aims to remind drivers dropping or picking up their children that it is not safe to do so within the area marked by the yellow zig zags. It also reminds drivers about the dangers of parking on pavements or too close to junctions. Central to the campaign are banners displaying a painting by seven-year-old Jazmine Williams from Christchurch Junior School, who won an inter-school competition to come up with a poster for the campaign.

Jazmine’s painting portrays a car parked illegally outside a school with a red cross through it and a sign saying ‘Bad parking is dangerous’. Lauren Jones, Safe Schools and Communities Officer from Dorset Police, said: “I was overwhelmed by the entries we had to our competition – more than 200 children took part. I think this shows how important this campaign is to children. We have asked them to make sure their parents are aware of the central message of the campaign.”

Andy Jones, Senior Neighbourhood Management Officer at Christchurch Council, added: “Most parents know how important the parking restrictions outside schools are, but there are still some who flout the rules perhaps because they’re running late or they don’t see any problem with stopping for a couple of seconds. Unfortunately those couple of seconds could cost a child’s life.” Simon Adorian, Head Teacher at Christchurch Junior School, said: “I’m delighted that one of our youngsters has been able to put over the important message about safety in such a creative way. I hope parents throughout Christchurch will understand how vital this campaign is for their children’s welfare.”

Safe Schools officers have already been into primary schools in the Borough to tell children about the campaign and launch the poster competition. From 15 November the campaign will now be extended to talking to drivers and handing out leaflets to remind them about the safety message. The campaign will run into the week commencing 22 November, which is Road Safety Week.