Dangerous parkers who put the lives of children and other road users at risk are being warned to toe the line or risk being prosecuted under an innovative new scheme.
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, in partnership with Durham Constabulary, Durham County Council, Darlington Borough Council and primary schools in County Durham and Darlington, has launched ParkSafe – a new initiative allowing the public to send video footage of illegal parkers direct to the police as part of a crackdown on the issue.
The pilot will initially operate at three schools – Red Rose Primary School in Chester-le-Street, Escomb Primary School in Escomb, Bishop Auckland, and The Rydal Academy in Darlington – and people will be able to upload videos of offending vehicles via a QR code to be assessed and triaged by experienced traffic officers.
Anyone who is found to have committed dangerous parking offences including blocking pavements or parking too close to a junction or on or close to a pedestrian crossing will be dealt with appropriately.
This could include the offer of a mandatory educational course which will result in prosecution if the driver does not participate.
Both councils will also use their powers to direct their patrols for lower-level parking offences.
It follows a growing number of complaints across the county about illegal parking outside schools which is putting pedestrians and other motorists in danger.
Safer Roads is a key priority in the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan, and she is working proactively with partners on a host of projects to tackle the issues that threaten the safety of all road users.
Commissioner Allen said: “Illegal parking is an issue that is raised time and time again during my meetings with local people.
“The new pilot will empower the public to become the eyes and the ears of the police and to take positive action to address these problems and make the roads in their communities safer.
“My hope is that it will also act as a strong deterrent and prevent further instances of dangerous parking in the future.”