An insurance expert has warned parents across the country over school-run chaos amid recent data showing the dramatic increase in accidents during these stressful hours.

The expert from Admiral Insurance commented that parents should be taking more care on the road during peak school run hours as accidents are extremely common.

Admiral Insurance claimed that around a quarter of school-run claims involve a driver hitting the car in front of them, suggesting that not enough attention is being paid by drivers.

Insurance expert urges motorists to be more aware during school drop offs

The Bolton News: (PA) The school run is a particularly dangerous time to be on the road(PA) The school run is a particularly dangerous time to be on the road (Image: PA)

Expert Lorna Connelly Head of Claims at Admiral Insurance says: “There’s no doubt that it can be a particularly frustrating time to be out on the roads with drivers facing more traffic, time pressures, and potential distraction from other passengers. But it’s vital to remain calm and drive carefully, particularly when more children are around, both as pedestrians and as passengers in other vehicles.”

With half term over for many schools across the UK, roads are likely to become busy again as people head out on the school run. But we’re urging drivers to take care when the roads are particularly congested, as the risk of getting into an accident is higher at these times.

Danger 'particularly high' during morning  school runs amid warning to parents 

The expert added: “When looking back over 8 years of claims data, the number of accidents reported to us which took place during the typical school run hours in term time (8-9am and 4-5pm), increased by 36% compared to the same time periods in the school holidays.

"At morning drop offs (8-9am), the increase was particularly high, with accidents up 68%.

The Bolton News: (Canva) Around a quarter of the claims reported to Admiral which took place during the school run were for cars hitting the one in front of them(Canva) Around a quarter of the claims reported to Admiral which took place during the school run were for cars hitting the one in front of them (Image: Canva)

“Since 2019, around a quarter of the claims reported to us which took place during the school run were for cars being hit in the rear, which is often caused by cars driving too closely to those ahead of them and not paying attention.

"This shows how important it is to ensure that during busier periods on the road, you are attentive and patient when behind the wheel.

She then said: "Allowing extra time for your journey, being considerate of other road users and trying to avoid any confrontation can all help to make sure your school run goes smoothly.”

Admiral’s top tips for drivers during school run hours

  • Allow extra time for your trip so time pressures and frustrations don’t cause simple mistakes.
  • Consider other motorists and pedestrians when parking your car, to ensure a flow of traffic can get through and pedestrians can pass safely on the pavement using prams, pushchairs, wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
  • Be attentive to cars directly in front of you and leave ample space to brake and react.
  • Relax and try to avoid road rage incidents. If another driver is being confrontational or aggressive, don’t make eye contact, don’t react and let them go on ahead.

Find out more about Admiral Insurance by visiting its website.