To stand on road to stop parents parking illegally

[ChimneyPot]

Parking at our primary school has been hazardous for years. There is a crossing guard on the main road at the school gates but not on a side road lots of kids have to cross. Parents park on the double yellow lines at the junction of the side road blocking lines of site for pedestrians and cars trying to turn in and out. This often results in the road getting blocked and cars reversing back on to main road.
School sends repeated communication to parents without impact and has asked local authority for bollards and this is under consideration but hasn’t happened yet.

I used to collect my DC from the gate because of the risks but DC wants to be more independent and meet me further away.

I started asking parents not to park and the junction but have been largely ignored so I have started standing on the edge of the road to prevent people parking and this has been effective.
Today someone I know signalled to me to move but I smiled and shook my head and they had to park a few metres down the street . They are not happy with me.

AIBU to block the road?

You have taken my point literally, quite frankly why does OP think it’s their right to police where people park. Assume they have no legal entitlement to do so, not their job or their private land or drive is it!

Yes I have read the thread and yes I would still answer the same!!!

More harm is caused to children by poor socioeconomic status than crossing the road…look at the statistics!

OP has nothing better to do and is just moaning about something they could turn into a positive. Why not volunteer to set up a safe road crossing scheme for those side roads not covered by the school, surely that would add greater value than what they are doing?

BTW I have no duty to reply to you, I did so as you failed to see the point but demanding people do so is just rude. I am entitled to my view like every other person, did you respond to them and demand an answer to your questions?

@oosha you are quite poor at arguing your case . Here is why:

You have taken my point literally, quite frankly why does OP think it’s their right to police where people park.

because she is a parent and there is a very, very real danger that if someone parks on a corner on double yellows, this moves traffic into another part of the road, removes lines of sight, hugely increased chance of accident. Do you get this??

Assume they have no legal entitlement to do so, not their job or their private land or drive is it!

Parking there on double yellows is the illegal act. It’s not illegal to stand on the doubles and persuade others not to do an illegal act. She doesn’t need permission from the council or police. You say “it isn’t her job” - yet you then ask her to volunteer later. This IS volunteering. You’re all over the place with your argument

More harm is caused to children by poor socioeconomic status than crossing the road…look at the statistics!

this is called “whatabouttery” - Google it. It’s a low form of argument. OP is focusing on a problem she can solve.

OP has nothing better to do

….You really don’t know how to argue your case do you?

Why not volunteer to set up a safe road crossing scheme for those side roads not covered by the school, surely that would add greater value than what they are doing?

This would be nice and neat and worthy but OP has spotted the weakest and most dangerous point on the school run and is doing something about it. Why does this bother you so much?

We ended up getting the council to put up cameras to enforce double yellows outside school, seems to be working.

I've requested traffic wardens visit my kids school at drop and pick up after mine were nearly knocked over by a car that reversed without warning or looking. It's all sub contracted though so it took them ages to turn up

If I had enough time or could be bothered, I would wipe the floor with you but instead I will just piss myself laughing at your pathetic attempt to make me feel inadequate. You are clearly having a bad day, hope it gets better for you!

Notice you didn’t answer my question…interesting…😂

This happens at every primary school up and down the country.
The schools are just not designed to cater to the traffic. The youngest daughter's school is situated in a tiny enclave of retirement homes, utter chaos as people vie for the 4 parking spots outside the school. They just park in the resident's spots instead.
There is a local village car park 800 yards away that is full.
There is also a local post box, why oh why do others go out at rush hr to congregate in this area?
School teachers never ever have the children ready for pick u times in the afternoon, this can vary by 20 mins. The official time is 3-05 but they can come out at 3-25. It's just absurd. Delays exacerbate the problem.

The eldest attends the comp, it's bliss in comparison, with plenty of parking, turning circle, drop off points.

With council involvement and a little bit of thought on planning journey times, some of these issues can be alleviated.

Personally, I drop the eldest off, then drop the youngest off, then go to work.
This all takes around 30-40 mins.

You’re last post oosha was directed at me, not Savoirflair, so no question for Savoir to answer.

I didn’t demand you answered my questions, I requested nicely, saying please.

God what an annoying busybody you sound like! What’s it to you if you walk to school anyway? Go, pick up your kid, and leave. How do you have time to do fanny on being a self appointed traffic officer? This is the school’s problem to sort and I don’t think you’re helping as much as you think you are.

Also bear in mind blue badge holders can park on double yellows. I hope you’re not blocking them? Do you know for certain that they definitely don’t have blue badges when you shake your head at them?

Blue badge holders are not permitted to park on double yellow lines here in Ireland but fortunately there is safe legal parking within metres for those who are prevented from parking illegally by me standing on the yellow lines.

Most pupils do walk, cycle or scoot and most parents who park do park safely. It has improved over the years but that one junction and a small number of parents cause a hazard for everyone.

I have contacted the local authority and parking enforcement as have the school. The school have also spoken to community policing. Nothing seems to have helped so far but I am hopeful that bollards will eventually be put in place.

YANBU, the parents who repeatedly park dangerously ABU. Well done you for taking a stand, and for being pro-active in dealing with the problem. Could you round up a few other parents and draw up some kind of rota so you take it in turns to stand there? It seems unfair to all come down on you - especially as the weather is getting crappy.
If there's a school news letter you could ask them to add a bit about this initiative, and ask people to contact you if they wish to help.

You shouldn't need to be doing this... but well done for doing so.

Better a busy body than one of the three blind monkeys

We all live together and if people am be relied on to look the other way at wrong doings , then people will continue to do wrong , illegal and.m bad things

The ignorance is astonishing. As if OP’s only interest in the matter would be wanting to park there herself! She’s worried about the safety of her child and others ffs.

Pity we don't have more 'busybodies' around, willing to stand up to these self centred lazy parents who are more concerned about saving themselves a short walk than the safety of other kids.

This demonstrates the mindset of a lot of parents 'I'm in a rush, I'm doing my best, I'll onlybe a minute....'
Unfortunately when you have hundreds of other parents thinking the same, chaos and danger ensues.

You are right. They probably do as I’m not a busy body jobs worth 😂

It's interesting that so many on here are getting angry with OP, rather than the inconsiderate, dangerous illegal parking.

I'd be right there with you OP.

(also, yes, I'm having a great day thanks in case anyone is worried :))

I think if the OP has the time and balls to stand on the double yellows and pleasantly wave cars onwards then good for her.

The vast majority of people criticising OP sound about 12. In fact a 12 year old would probably have a better understanding of what a jobsworth is. Why are people using it interchangeably with busybody?

Do you know the percentage of parents that have a short walk?
I don't believe that is true.

The infrastructure around primary schools needs upgrading because people have very little choice but to use cars. Saying no cars or banning parking just moves the problem elsewhere.

This isn’t a problem, as I’ve already pointed out up thread. If a blue badge entitles them to park there, all they would have to do is wave it at OP. If OP didn’t then stand aside, she’d be the one in a vulnerable position, not the blue badge holder in their car. So no need to co-opt disabled people into your crappy arguments.

Get a traffic warden down there - they'll soon move!

And anyway, OP says BB holders can’t park on double yellows in her country.

Blue badges don't entitle people to park within 10m of a junction, so OP isn't blocking them. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that.

Neither are they.
Unlike you however they also don't think trying to prevent the endangering of children's lives is a hilarious concept.