This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Long term strategy to stall school run
06/09/2002
Research into what motivates parents to drive their
children to school was published today.
Why Do Parents Drive Their Children to School? was commissioned by the Executive to contribute to
the work carried out by the Scottish School Travel Advisory
Group (SSTAG).
The main conclusions include:
- there are multiple reasons why parents choose to
drive their children to school, including the
perception that the journey by car is safer and more
convenient
- there is no single factor that could work against
these multiple reasons therefore a multifaceted
approach involving schools and parents to 'sell' the
various alternative options is necessary
- physical changes in and around schools could be
helpful in persuading parents to encourage children to
travel to school other than by car
- aiming to shorten the distances travelled by car by
parents or the frequency of driving will be more
effective as opposed to aiming initially to give up
using the car to and from school completely
- a long term approach is required to reduce the
number of journeys to school by car.
Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald said
encouraging more children to walk or cycle to and from
school would mean healthier and happier children and
parents.
He added:
"It is vital that we encourage parents and children to
look beyond using the car to get to and from school.
Walking or cycling bring significant health advantages, and
as it is also environmentally friendly and inexpensive it
means that both children and parents benefit.
"This research will allow for further development of
initiatives to encourage children and parents to look at
the alternatives. It also highlights the important role
schools play and how they can contribute to making other
options more practical and attractive.
"The Executive is committed to reducing congestion in
Scotland's urban areas and promoting alternatives to the
school run will help achieve that."