10 tips to ease September traffic jams near schools

Every year, the start of September brings not only a new school year but also noticeably busier streets around schools. To help parents and drivers prepare, a list of practical suggestions has been compiled for reducing traffic pressure during morning hours.

Fewer cars, more alternatives

The first step is to consider whether a child really needs to be driven all the way to the school entrance every day. If the distance allows, walking, cycling or public transport are worth considering, with a parent accompanying the child at first. If a car is still needed, it's recommended to drop the child off a few hundred metres from school in a safe spot, easing congestion right at the entrance, where a bottleneck often forms.

Shared solutions

Parents are encouraged to arrange carpooling with neighbouring or classmates' families, taking turns driving children to school, which reduces both the number of cars on the road and fuel costs. A similar idea applies to organising a shared walk to school, where one adult accompanies children from several families.

Preparation and habits

Before September 1, it helps to try out the public transport route together with the child so the school-day commute isn't unfamiliar. Cyclists are advised to choose the safest route rather than necessarily the shortest, using bike paths and lanes. It's also important not to leave departure until the last minute, since rushing tends to push people toward driving even short distances, and to combine the school run with other daily errands, such as commuting to work.

It's also suggested that turning off the engine while waiting near a school, rather than idling, can reduce unnecessary emissions in an area where many children spend time. Finally, new habits are best introduced gradually — for example, starting with just one car-free day a week.