Broxbourne Borough Council has launched a new campaign urging drivers to drive and park safely and considerately around schools.
The campaign aims to protect children from the dangers that poor driving and unsafe parking pose across the Borough.
In 2025, 41 children were killed and 2,432 were killed or seriously injured on roads in Great Britain, according to the Department for Transport. That is more than six children every day.
The same dangers exist around schools throughout the Borough. Every school run brings blocked roads, obstructed footpaths, poor visibility and drivers in a hurry, and despite repeated warnings from schools, unsafe parking and careless driving continue.
Children have already been hurt as a result. Earlier this year, a boy cycling home from Woodside Primary School in Goffs Oak was forced into the road by a car parked on the pavement and hit by a motorbike. The Broxbourne School has also seen two pupils seriously hurt in the past year alone in incidents linked to inconsiderate parking.
The campaign features a series of videos in which Caroline Ginty, Head Teacher at Woodside Primary School, Professor Martin Griffiths, Trauma and Vascular Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust, and Sergeant Holly White of Hertfordshire Constabulary explain the real consequences of unsafe parking and driving.
Schools are also being sent a pack to share the videos with parents and Councillor Jim Clune will be offering to visit schools to speak with parents directly.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Corina Gander, said:
I’m the Leader of Broxbourne Council but I’m also a mother, so I understand the pressure you’re under to get your children to school on time. I want my children and all the children in Broxbourne to get to and from school safely.
Please be considerate when parking around our schools. Together, let’s keep all our children safe.
Councillor Jim Clune, Deputy Leader of Broxbourne Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety, said:
I’m a serving Councillor but also a retired Metropolitan police officer. I’ve seen first-hand the devastation caused when a child is run over and killed by a vehicle, to families and local communities.
I implore you to drive and park safely around schools so we can ensure that there are no further serious accidents caused to any member of the community.
Drivers are asked to slow down near schools, take extra care when turning or reversing, and watch out for children crossing between parked cars. They should think before they park and never stop on pavements, zig-zag markings, yellow lines or near junctions outside schools. Parents and carers who need to drive are encouraged to park a few streets away and walk the last few minutes, and to leave earlier so they are not tempted to rush or stop somewhere unsafe.
The campaign videos can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEgriiy0bcDc.