New film highlights the dangers of school gate parking

The film, created by Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, features dashcam footage from a fire engine cockpit navigating streets outside four Leeds schools during pick-up time. In the footage, parked vehicles clog the roads, highlighting the challenges that emergency services can face when attending incidents at drop-off and pick-up times. 

To watch the film, visit: Dangerous parking puts lives at risk (youtube.com) 

Parking on pavements, grass verges and narrow roads not only causes congestion but also obstructs access for other road users and blocks public footpaths. This can force pedestrians and vulnerable road users into the road, increasing the risk of collisions. 

Former Children’s Mayor Mohammed, narrates the film, giving voice to the concerns of young people across Leeds who want to travel safely and sustainably to and from school. The message to parents and carers is clear: choose walking, cycling and wheeling when you can, park further from school gates and drive to school less often to create safer spaces for everyone.  

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport, and sustainable development, said: 

“It’s great to see the emergency services working with our safe and sustainable travel team to raise awareness of issues around dangerous and inconsiderate parking at pick-up and drop-off times at schools in Leeds. 
 
“We want Leeds to be the best city for all young people to grow up in and ensuring a safer journey to school is a key part of that.  
 
“If we encourage parents and carers to choose walking, cycling or wheeling, or to park further away from school gates, we can help improve road safety in local communities and create a better environment for families to travel safely and sustainably to and from school.” 

Safe roads is one of five themes underpinning Vision Zero, the council’s ambition to eliminate serious and fatal road injuries in Leeds by 2040. Leeds now has 17 School Streets in operation to restrict vehicle traffic on the streets outside schools and make it easier and safer for families to choose walking, cycling and wheeling as their mode of transport.  

Last year, 28,955 school children across Leeds participated in 596 sessions that the council’s road safety trainers delivered to promote safe and sustainable travel. Where possible, the council is delivering schemes and initiatives, like School Streets and parking campaigns to improve the local environment to enable children to use the skills they learn. 

To achieve Vision Zero everyone needs to play their part. Walking, cycling or wheeling to school, or parking further away and walking in can make the environment around schools safer for everyone. Pledge to show your dedication to eliminate road deaths here.   

To watch the film, visit: Dangerous parking puts lives at risk (youtube.com)