Children face traffic mayhem as schools restart across Denmark

Over 60 percent of parents at least occasionally experience chaotic traffic situations on school roads

Parents across Denmark most probably had a busy morning today as children flocked back to school following the summer break.

And it’s quite likely that traffic around the school hasn’t alleviated what is a stressful morning for many. 

According to a new Epinion survey from the council of safe traffic, Rådet for Sikker Trafik, the majority of parents said they at least occasionally face chaotic traffic on school roads.

In fact, 65 percent of parents with kids aged 5-12 said there is traffic mayhem on the roads near their  children’s schools. 

The survey responses revealed that 18 percent of parents always experienced traffic chaos at schools, while 26 percent said they often did so. Some 21 percent said this was the case sometimes.

“At many schools, you see parents wanting to drive their kids all the way up to the school,” said Petrera Busck, a spokesperson for Rådet for Sikker Trafik.

“But if you instead park a couple of hundred metres away and walk the last bit, the child will get some exercise and their will be time for parents to broach the subject of taking care in traffic.”

READ ALSO: Wolt cyclists: As common as traffic lights, but without the security

Speeding concerns
The principle issues include the number of cars, how they are parked and a general lack of consideration that leads to the chaotic environment.

To tackle the problem, Rådet for Sikker Trafik and 95 municipalities have teamed up for a nationwide campaign, ‘Børn på vej’, which will remind people in traffic to show some consideration and slow down on school roads.

And that seems to be an issue for some drivers. Last August, the police ticketed almost 6,200 drivers for speeding on school roads.