Zigzag lines enforcement

Zigzag lines enforcement

About this activity

Suitable for all schools and nurseries.

Not all drivers pay attention to the zigzag lines painted on roads outside school entrances to prevent cars from stopping or parking. If this is an issue you face outside your school, the enforcement of zigzag lines can help improve your pupils’ safety as they come and go, and reduce congestion. As a result your school could benefit from less pollution and better air quality in the local area.

Ideas for enforcing zigzag lines

  • Pupil-led campaign which could include posters being displayed alongside the zigzag lines, or pupil-designed parking tickets being issued to offending parents! If you have TfL Explorers Ambassadors or TfL Pioneers Ambassadors this is a great project for them to lead on
  • Teacher-led patrol during drop-off and pick-up times
  • Letters to remind parents of enforcement and why it’s important

If the problem persists after your campaign, speak to your borough council about measures such as CCTV and restricted road access.

If you don’t already have zigzag lines and think your school could benefit from them, speak to your borough road safety officer.

How to evidence your activity

  • Involve your borough officer: Share your ideas, agree your objectives and discuss any challenges you face
  • Record feedback from pupils and staff. Note the impact the activity has had on the number of drivers stopping on the zigzag lines and how this has helped you meet your objectives
  • Sign in to TfL Travel for Life to add your story. Explain the activity, add photos and include the school community’s feedback and any survey results. Also include posters, parking tickets, letters or promotional materials you produced for your campaign

 

Activity steps

1
Assess the situation
With your Pupil Ambassadors or colleagues, carry out a survey of the school’s zigzag lines – how many drivers ignore them each day/week?
2
Set your targets
Look at the results of the survey with your Pupil Ambassadors or your colleagues and borough officer and set your new zigzag line enforcement targets
3
Come together
As a group, decide how you would like to tackle the number of drivers ignoring the zigzag lines. Will you have poster campaign? Issue tickets? Patrol the area? Or a combination?
4
Launch your campaign
Spread the word about your zigzag campaign in your school's newsletter, on notice boards and in assemblies
5
Check for success
Carry out a second survey of the school’s zigzag lines to see if your campaign has helped you reach your enforcement targets
6
Tell your story
Feedback to your borough officer and add your story to the TfL Travel for Life website

Tags

  • Smarter driving

This activity counts towards:

  • Travel activity

How it helps

  • Eases congestion at schools gates
  • Reduces air pollution around schools
  • Improves road safety

Resources

Useful links, templates and case studies to support this activity