Lazy parents drive me nuts...

Savvy_Sue

Queenie wrote: »

The 3 mile rule applies under an "as the crow flies" measurement and not from a road point of view. In other words, it may well be over 3 miles by car, but, if there is a walking route under 3 miles, no bus pass will be issued.

Depends on the authority. I know some round here DON'T use the 'as the crow flies' rule but a 'walk along adopted paths' one. Which leads to the situation where a child may be able to practially SEE a school from their bedroom window, and there may be a route the parents are perfectly happy for the child to use, but they can't go to it, because it's more than 3 miles by adopted paths.

Also remember the strange shapes of Areas of Priority Admission (APA, catchment areas to you and me!) You may be less than 3 miles from a school, but if you're not in its APA, you may get free transport to a school further away.

And DS3 has now taken to walking to school, and sometimes home as well. He's in 6th form, and there's a perfectly good bus route which he used throughout his compulsory education, but now he can save what he doesn't spend on bus tickets ...

He's a very strange kind of teenager - gets up before 7 am in order to be able to do this! :rotfl:

Queenie wrote: »

Savvy - I suppose it *might* be ok for you to do the Uni trip .... just make sure you don't abuse it

Thank you. Sometimes I combine it with a visit to my cousin who lives nearby when she's not in France. Last time I had to take a rug making table to her from my parents so she could give it to her parents.

And I don't pop up at the weekends to get his washing ... :rotfl:

Sultana

Queenie wrote: »

if there is a walking route under 3 miles, no bus pass will be issued.

Also if parents choose a school over 3 miles away when there are places at a nearer school, then they must pay for transport.

MJMum

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sleepymy

MJMum wrote: »

I think it's easy to be very judgemental sometimes though. I know people who drive their kids to school because they have disabilities that prevent them being able to walk very far some days, but to look at them you probably wouldn't know it.

I have a hidden disability myself but it wouldn't make me park like an idiot and put 'walking home' children at risk from having to cross between parked cars.

faded_flowers

I get your general complaint, though as people have pointed out you can let off people who are driving past anyway on their way somewhere else or have a physical reason But loads and loads of parents at my Mum's school live ten minutes away and still drive their huge cars into the school cul-de-sac for no reason other than laziness!

Miss_Penny_Pincher_2

ben500 wrote: »

A bit judgemental of you given you only have a brief summation of the facts, my son does indeed have the option of public transport but does not avail himself of it, would you now given that knowledge condemn him for being irresponsible and ignoring government guidelines on the maximum walking distance? I hope it's not too cold for you at your altitude.

I can only go off your brief summation and perhaps I have jumped to the wrong conclusion! If your son chooses to walk then I admire him but that is NOT what you said.

I quote: "I pass directly by the front gate of my son's school and never give him a lift (He's thirteen he'll get fat if he doesn't walk)". This statement suggests that YOU believe he will get fat without this walk which I find questionable unless he has an otherwise inactive liftestyle and is fed an unsuitable diet.

So have you offered him a lift? I apologise for misunderstanding you if you do and was condemning your apparent attitude, not your son. I myself used to feel the benefit of walking home after school occassionally which was around 3 miles.

I trust that you have checked why he does not use public transport. This is not always out of a desire for morning exercise but can sometimes be due to children wanting to avoid bullies who may also use the bus.

Ben500 if you are genuinely concerned about lazy parents and the school run have you considered taking a different route at these times so as not to contribute to the problem?

Miss_Penny_Pincher_2

Queenie wrote: »

I suppose I *could* drive them each day, leaving our carbon footprint, adding to congestion etc., but I don't.

Ben500 is leaving an identical carbon footprint and contributing to congestion whether or not he offers to give his son a lift as he drives directly past the school!

southernscouser

The thing with walking is it doesn't just alleviate traffic congestion.

It reduces the risk to your children being hit by a car.

Reduces carbon emissions. (everyone benefits)

Reduces the risk of mental health problems (mainly for the parents that one)

Increases lung capacity (everyone benefits)

Reduces risk of heart disease (everyone benefits)

Keeps you fitter (everyone benefits)

Reduces petrol costs



I bloody hate walking!

bj-sailaway

Becles wrote: »

I knew it would be busy around school time, but I did expect to be able to use my own driveway as and when I needed to.

I work from home, and in the past I've been late for appointments with clients due to people blocking the drive so I was unable to leave home until they returned and moved their car.

It's also frustrating when I return home from work in time to collect my children, but I'm unable to park on my own drive or anywhere near my home. It means I'm late for my children as I have to find somewhere else to park, I'm adding to the parking congestion when there is no need, and I have the inconvenience of having to walk back and move my car once the school traffic has cleared.

The driveway is obvious and has a dropped kerb, so people are causing an obstruction by blocking it. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect people to park considerately so I can still use my drive.

No, I agree with you on that point, I wouldn't block someones driveway, that's bad manners. The people that do that near our school get a nasty sticker on their window from the residents! Maybe you or a neighbour could print some 'polite' (he he) notices that you could stick on their drivers window.

quietheart

We live over a mile from school, I have one child at school, one at pre-school so that's 6 trips, add to that my extra walks and I easily walk 8-9 miles a day. I stay at home so I have time to do this but what amazes me is when I'm 5 minutes from the school I pass parents loading their lovelies into their 4x4's and they say "sorry I can't give you a lift...." as if I'd want one! Everyone pities me for having to walk but I actually enjoy it. I get to speak to my kids and it keeps me slim/fit (and makes me feel less guilty about the wine and snacks i consume!)
Walkings the way forward. It's an attitude thing as well, we used to have a dog and walked a lot more then, now my 6 year old walks miles without moaning, he's always done it so he doesn't complain about it. My friend's kids moan about walking from the car to the end of the road, it's madness.