PARENTS have been given a ticking off - for taking their children to school in the wrong kind of car.
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers took time out from debating the education system to consider the merits of four-wheel-drive vehicles.
A motion was passed calling for parents to stop using the 4x4 vehicles, also known as "Chelsea Tractors", on the school run.
The association also demanded that stickers be put on the vehicles warning that they pose an increased danger to pedestrians.
Motoring groups later criticised the teachers, saying they should "stick to things they know about".
But the association said the vehicles were the scourge of the school run and posed a problem at schools nationwide. The union has joined other groups in its pronouncement on the petrol-guzzling 4x4 cars that have become the vehicle of choice for well-heeled urban families.
Environmentalists and road safety campaigners have long complained about them, and in last month's budget Chancellor Gordon Brown announced a rise in road tax for the cars of about é30 a year.
Discourage
Delegates at the association's conference called on the government and councils to do more to discourage use of the cars.
Phil Whalley, a Wiltshire secondary school teacher who proposed the motion, said the vehicles posed a greater risk of serious accident near school grounds.
He said: "The shape of these vehicles mean they are likely to strike children in the torso or head and cause very serious injury."
Safety experts say the best way of cutting accidents is for drivers to slow down. Following a
Manchester Evening News campaign, city schools now have 20mph speed zones in a bid to reduce the number of accidents involving schoolkids.
Zones have also been implemented outside schools in Stockport and Tameside.
* THE conference also called for an end to exams for pupils aged under 16. Delegates claimed primary and secondary pupils spent too much time preparing for tests and called for major changes to the curriculum.
Mary Richards, from Nicholas Varley community school in Miles Platting, Manchester, said teachers should be allowed to devise more of their own lessons.
SHOULD parents ditch 4x4s for the safety of the children? Have your say.
PLUS: Take part in our Poll, below.
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Whilst I dislike 4x4's and would never own one I am against this recent incessant call to 'ban' them from everywhere - once B-liar & Co have achieved this what will be their next target? Sports cars? Vans? Luxury cars? Road users in general need to stand together - remember divide & conquer!
What about banning 6 and 7 and 8 seat MPV's from the school run;a lot of parents drive them to school with just one or two inside! (and all those empty seats).
I think it's wrong when people say the 4 x 4 brigade rarely venture off-road in their Chesea tractors.
Of course they do... how else would they be able to get at least two wheels onto the pavement when parking?
Usually on the narrowest of roads, just to make life more interesting for pedestrians.
To be honest, i have no idea how parents ever managed to get their children to school before 4 x 4s became available.
On a more serious note though, as over a third of school kids are either overweight or obese (and a higher percentage for parents), maybe the schools should be encouraging more people to walk to school now again. (or at least part of the journey)
I must admit though, if a child of mine was to be hit by a vehicle, looking at the NCAP safety ratings for vehicles/pedestrians, i would prefere it not to be by a 4 x 4
It doesn't matter what type of car is driven, as long as it is driven responsibly and parked sensibly, then I don't see what the problem is. It's inconsiderate drivers who are the problem, not the vehicle they are driving.
I have the distinct 'pleasure' of doing the Manchester to Altrincham run every morning to get to work, where I am constantly stuck behind both 4x4s and MPVs, all of which are on the school run.
If people are so desperate to drive these monsters, then why don't the Government change the school start times, ie 8:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m., this would free up the roads to let the taxpaying workforce get to work, without getting caught in the 'Mumsie Run'.
By the way, Baby Driver is right about these monstrosities going off road!
There is a simple way to reduce the problem of people driving absurd petrol-guzzlers - Add a substantial amount of duty to petrol and at the end of each year, give each member of the electorate an equal share of the proceeds. Those using less than the average would profit, those using more would lose out. Simple, fair and easy to operate.
I have to agree to some point is it necessary to have 4x4 anyway in the inner city it's not as if we have a few hills and mountains to go upto. It's all about material items at the end of the day and not out of necessity. If you can afford why not but can our roads handle it, especially outside schools where all cars are parked and they all cause havoc with the traffic anyway. Who's to blame everyone lets ride a bike instead and get more greener. Lets all save the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dont you love the holidays. I can get to work 20 minutes faster when the kids are off school. Hmmm wonder what really causes those rush hour blues. Still as far as I know its not just 4x4 who cause the probs a car is a car and any used to ferry spoilt kids the short distance to school blocks up the roads. More should be done to wipe out the school run, walk to school, get some excercise.
I know some parents who live in rural areas have to drive they kids to school as it would be too far to walk, but it just goes to show how many children are going to schools that aren't in their catchment areas, because usually most schools are within a mile or less, especially primary schools, so these parents are having to drive their kids to school because they must have given false addresses to get their kids in better schools. i think if the head teachers at the schools concerned made all the parents bring in genuine proof of address, ie a utility bill with their name on, they may have quite a few surprises. I know this because my children's school had loads of people who lied about their addresses and came quite a distance, thus needing to use their cars........just a thought really
Do you know that WALK is a four letter word
Chris, Manchester: Well Said. I don't have a 4 x 4 myself but will defend other peoples right to own one and drive it wherever and whenever they like. The reason that people hate 4 x 4s is that they cannot afford one themselves.
Ban all cars from the school run!
It's bad for the environment.
The children would get some exercise.
It would be easier getting to work.
People who think that cars are bad for the environment just simply don't realise how insignificant we actually are as a species. The amount of CO2 that we, as humans, contribute to the environment would not, proportionately, fill a gas canister in wembly stadium. It is 0.02% which is nowhere near engough to alter the atmospheric conditions of the planet, or to effect climate change. Cars are not the evil monsters that the government make them out to be, it is all about taxation.
I cannot think of a Country in the world that needs four wheel drive vehicles less than the U.K do`s.
unless of course in your daily commute to work,schools,or to go grocery shopping you may encounter boulders, mountains,rugged terrain,blizzards,etc.
They are basically a "look at me in my s.u.v status symbol.
( s.u.v. meaning ,stupid urban vehicle.)
I use a toyota 4x4 because in my opinion it is safer.
I can see pedestrians easier because i have a better view of the pavement over parked cars and other obstructions etc,
They are not hot hatch backs or sports cars so anyone driving a 4x4 is not intending to be a boy racer so there is less chance of them speeding any where.
It is safer for my family / passengers as we encouter dangerous driving by idiots on a daily basis dont we.
A 4x4 is a neccesity in some areas because the council has cut back the gritting service, remember the last cold snap!
And as you are probably aware your car cannot effectively cope with all the pot holes and road humps that now obstruct our highways, (have your suspension and tyres checked if you are doubtfull).
The emmissions on the middle range 4x4 soft roaders are no greater than an average family saloon and actually have a smaller wheel footprint so take up less surface area on the road.
I REST MY CASE......
Anthony - Accrington, why ban MPV's? How about those people who have an MPV because they have a larger family. I take 5 kids to three different schools so it would be impossible to walk and yes, we own an MPV!
I think we should ban commuters! I can get to Blackburn in 25mins during the day but at 5.30pm it takes well over an hour! Are all the school run people clogging the roads at that time of day? I don't think so. Maybe people should live closer to where they work.
Driving a tank to feel safer doesn't make the road a safer place....
as a 2 wheeled road user I fear mums driving a 4X4 in a rush because they are late for the school run....
thank You
Clarification needs to be a point here. The new fiat panda has a four wheel drive system as do many normal Audi saloons, and the fiat is very ecologically friendly. However, Mick of Sadleworth, big off road 4x4s are not safer. Look at the NCAP listings. Some 4X4s have a very poor rating with regard to crash safety especially for the front passenger. Also, if a pedestrian is struck, they have a higher percentage of being killed than if they were hit by a normal saloon. Fact! Big off roaders safer? Not really, but it does make men little appendages feel tough. Ha.
there are parents out there who DON'T have 4 or 5 or 6 kids but just buy an 6/7/8 seat mpv anyway with all 7 or 8 seats; one in the front and two in the rear and all those remaining unused extra seats in place, that to me is a total waste.