Having a breather from the daily school drive? You’ve still got a solid three weeks before parents, caretakers and youngsters find themselves back in the vehicle, rushing to beat the bell.
It’s quite the bother, getting children wrestled into the car each morning, not to mention the chaos of everyone hurrying to the same destination at exactly the same hour. Then there’s the ongoing struggle for a parking space, the need to shell out for parking, and perhaps even taking a gamble with the traffic officer. It’s a drill that repeats itself come afternoon. Families managing the school runs at both ends for younger and older primary schoolers face the absurdity of two pickups with a mere hour gap.
The Good Old Days
Things weren’t always this manic. Back in 1986, a modest 24 per cent of primary school-aged children were driven to school. In stark contrast, by 2022, the Central Statistics Office reports this figure has shot up to 55 per cent. Sadly, these days only 24 per cent of pupils walk to school, significantly down from the 45 per cent we saw in 1986. Once striding, Ireland’s young ones are now largely passengers.
Still, where the availability of a bus or safe footpaths is lacking, the car might be the singular option for some pupils to reach school. In contrast, many others reside within easy strolling distance to school, representing a missed opportunity for a healthier commute.
Idle Emissions and Health Hazards
Vehicles in transit or those idling nearby schools spew pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and “particulate matter”. These tiny solids or droplets can be breathed in, posing serious health risks. It’s been associated with stunted lung growth in children, asthma, heart ailments and type 2 diabetes, suggests a report from the Royal College of Physicians, Every Breath We Take.
This is alarming for children, who are more vulnerable to air pollution due to their small stature, ongoing physical development, and closer contact with vehicle emissions, as explained by the Asthma Society of Ireland.
Asthma affects one in five Irish children at some point in their lives and is directly associated with poor air quality, the society reveals.
“Any parent who has been in proximity to a school is apt to witness children in prams and young ones trudging by vehicles that emit harmful pollutants directly at their height,” comments Jennifer Whitmore, a Social Democrat MP. She was responsible for proposing the Protection of Children’s Health (Prohibition of Idling of Powered Vehicles Near Schools) Act 2021, a bill targeting a prohibition on vehicle idling within 100 metres of educational institutions.
Edging the car onto the pavement, engaging your hazard lights, and bidding farewell to your charges might be your habitual routine. Regardless, it’s an environmentally unsound practice. It’s an established fact that an idling engine can generate nearly double the exhaust emissions compared to one that’s mobile. The unfortunate children strolling by, or their siblings in pushchairs, are forced to inhale these harmful pollutants.
Moreover, an idling engine can be a financial drain. Research indicates that idling beyond 10 seconds results in excessive fuel consumption and surplus CO2 emissions in comparison to restarting.
A ‘pedestrian convoy’ could be an environmentally and financially viable alternative. This scheme involves distributing the responsibility of the school commute among several families, allowing children to walk collectively rather than being transported by car.
The concept is simple: An adult ‘pilot’ leads the group, another adult ‘attendant’ trails behind, and ensconced in between are six children making their way to school. Green Schools Ireland suggests a ratio of two adults to six children, with an upper limit of 18 students. This setup enables up to 12 parents to steer clear of daily school commuting.
The routine incorporates a predetermined route with agreed collection and drop-off locations near the children’s residences. It’s a turn-based system, contributing to improved air quality around the school, more physical activity for the children, and the fostering of independence. Above all, participating individuals make significant time and monetary savings. It undoubtedly necessitates yet another WhatsApp group, but this one has a distinct purpose.