It’s not hard to spot a parent breaking the road rules during the afternoon school run at Wollongong Public School.
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On Monday afternoon in Church Street, drivers were spotted parking in no stopping zones, across driveways, in bus zones and even in the middle of the road.
It was all in an apparent endeavour to get as close as possible to the school gates.
That said, there were also parents who chose to park further away and actually walk to the school.
It’s not just the story at Wollongong Public either, readers left comments on the Mercury’s Facebook page pointing out that it's common practice during school runs in many parts of the Illawarra.
“Just like every school everywhere,” noted Jade Maree.
“Happens at every school just can’t single out one,” wrote Carmen Kramer.
“Wish I was a cop sometimes – the amount of soccer mums pulling into bus zones.”
Steve Buchan said he had experienced similar problems outside St Michael’s Catholic Primary School.
“Try driving southbound on the main road of Thirroul outside St Michael’s...good luck!” he wrote.
“Just another problem to add to the varicose of vein of the north’s traffic woes.”
Melissa Moore noted she had experienced traffic headaches around The Illawarra Grammar School at Mangerton and St Therese School in West Wollongong.
“Maybe you should do a drive by TIGS and St Therese in the morning or arvo,” she said.
“Try get onto Powell Street from Woodlawn Avenue - NIGHTMARE!!!”
Gywnneville resident Troy Lester had problems with the parking of some parents picking up children from the local public school.
“Sometimes we wait 20-30 minutes waiting to get out of our drive because they either refuse to move or have left their cars to get their kids,” he said.
“The KU preschool beside it isn't much better.”
Maree Davis felt this was all simply a sign of the times.
“We live in a selfish society where those that are parked illegally think it's okay because they are picking up ‘their child',” she wrote.
“Everyone else’s doesn't matter or the safety of everyone else as long as they get ‘their’ child.”
Melysa Cox suggested it might be time for schools to stagger finish times to help with the congestion caused by so many parents converging on a school at the same time.
Others felt getting out of the car and walking was a good idea.
“Have a look at most of the parents driving to school to pick up their little darlings,” wrote Sean Byrne.
“A good long walk wouldn't do parent or child any harm.”
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
