THE SCHOOL RUN

Approximately 20% of morning peak-hour traffic flow in the UK is composed of parents transporting their children to school. Reasons for reducing the school run relate to trafhc congestion, air pollution, fitness levels, accident risk and child independence. Car use on the school journey has increased faster in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK. The school run increases with increasing socio-economic conditions. Statistics are included on the number of pupils being driven to school in Britain and Northern Ireland. The health drawbacks associated with being driven to school are outlined. The principal reason parents give for their reluctance to let children travel unaccompanied is the danger of traffic. Measures to improve road safety associated with children's journeys to school are outlined. These include improving the infrastructure around a school site, staggering the start times of schools and businesses, using sustainable forms of transport and introducing a school bus service for urban pupils currently not entitled to free school travel.