STRESSED-OUT mums driving children to school are a danger to other road users, according to the chairman of a leading Bolton advanced motoring organisation.

Roy Sammons of the Bolton Advanced Motorists says he can understand why there are a high number of crashes on the way to school.

Writing in the organisation's monthly magazine, he says: "The standards by which most mums would judge other drivers seem to go out of the window when they are on the school run."

Mr Sammons made his comments following the publication of a survey into the number of traffic accidents before and after school.

The survey said mothers making school runs are so stressed they are a danger to other drivers.

He said: "The report reveals that one woman in five has been in an accident while driving her children around.

"It continues by saying that stress experts find that the average mother's heart rate increases by about 50 per cent when she gets behind the wheel, enough of an increase to affect decision making.

"No doubt this is caused by running late and having to deal with in-car squabbling or things being thrown around the car."

He added: "I can well understand it -- but not condone it."

Mr Sammons is now urging his members from the Bolton Advanced Motorists group to carry a "fact-finding exercise" in the town.

He wants his members to stand outside primary schools keeping a lookout for the cars coming and going. They would find, he says, that the parking of parents -- mothers in particular -- is "terrible" and "frenetic".

"As a motorist passing by, no matter how slowly and carefully you drive past the school entrance, the risks are high," he said.

"We all know and understand this, but mums need to do their part."

He added: "I think the summary by the company that published the survey summed things up accurately.

"The stress of deadlines and back-seat squabbles is leading mothers to take risks. It is time for them to slow down and put safety first."

Mr Sammons added: "Given more time, more thought and greater concentration, perhaps at least some of the accidents will disappear."

But a spokesman for one of Britain's leading national motoring organisations said today he did not believe mothers should be singled out as a cause of accidents.

Luke Bosdet from the AA said: "Any driver who has a distraction in their vehicle could end up having an accident.

"Anyone transporting young children, animals or even other adults could end up losing their concentration. It is unfair to single out mothers.

"Drivers need to be aware of the dangers and to remove any distractions. If they have young children it's a matter of trying to persuade them not to misbehave."

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