The summer holidays have come to a close and for some parents not a moment too soon.  Order and normality will resume along with the dreaded school run which starts again for another year. This week’s tips offers advice to drivers and riders on how to survive the term time road rush from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman.

• Make sure everyone is in the right seat. If you use child or booster seats, make sure they are still fit for purpose and correctly secured. Check out Good Egg for some top tips: http://www.goodeggcarsafety.com/
• Pack for success. Dependent on the age of the little one pack some healthy treats to distract them and keep them engaged, even on a short journey
• Leave enough time. Setting off for school can be frustrating and rushed experience with the constant reminding you have to do about PE kit, and other important forgotten or last minute things.A half-eaten breakfast and badly combed hair can put both you and your child in the wrong frame of mind for the start of the day
• It’s not a race. In many areas with local schools the motto is ‘20’s plenty.’ Remember that this is limit, not a target. Always help out the school crossing patrol, you will get a friendly wave and a smile
• Start them while they’re young. Teach your children about road safety so they know how to behave around moving traffic. Setting a good example while in the driving seat will stay with them in preparation for when they learn to drive. Parking in a safe place and walking the last few metres will not just help with congestion; it will also allow you to teach them the right way to cross a road looking left and right (then right again for us Green Cross code users). Teaching children to use the road sensibly will save lives

Richard said: “Traffic always picks up again after the school holidays so journeys will take longer and potentially be more stressful.  Make sure the car is fuelled up and fit and ready for stop-start traffic so you have one less thing to worry about. Due to close supervision children are normally very safe around schools but you can help by taking care. Be aware that after school they are much more likely to be playing in and around the street and safety can be the last thing on their minds after a hard day in the classroom.”

ENDS