THE headteacher of a Derby school has praised a campaign which has caught more than 200 parents flouting parking rules outside of schools in the city.
Maxine Bull, from St Chad's C of E Nursery and Infant School, in Normanton, said a grandparent had been injured by a speeding car outside of the school, 18 months ago.
And now, Mrs Bull said she hopes the Derby City Council crackdown scheme – which aims to catch people parking on the "keep clear" markings at schools using a patrolling CCTV car – continues.
She said: "I think it is really good that Derby City Council are fining parents because we have had so many near-misses outside the school.
"We did have an accident about 18 months ago with a speeding car where one of our grandparents was injured.
"It was only in my last newsletter that I warned parents about accidents outside the school."
Yesterday, the Derby Telegraph reported that a total of 217 motorists had been handed £70 fines since the scheme was launched in November.
The vehicle, with a CCTV camera mounted on top, has been monitoring 22 schools in Derby, in the morning and afternoon, to check drivers have parked correctly.
The council's enforcement officers can issue penalty charge notices if people park on a school's yellow zig-zag lines, on pavements and verges where there are yellow lines, or adjacent to a dropped kerb when a complaint is received.
The latest figures from the city council show 32 people were fined in Sunny Grove, Chaddesden, near Cherry Tree Hill Primary School, with 22 people being caught outside of Breadsall Hill Top Infant and Junior School.
While 26 motorists were also handed fines for parking incorrectly outside of St Chad's Nursery and Infant School.
Headteacher Mrs Bull said: "The road the school is on, Gordon Road, is very short and, at present, there are roadworks in surrounding streets which has added extra traffic.
"There is always tight-space for parking outside the school anyway.
"I welcome the scheme. Creating that space for parents to walk across the road more safely and reduce the number of accidents further down the lane is really good."
People have also taken to the Derby Telegraph to give their views on the crackdown.
Online user, smurf391, said: "Excellent news. Any chance of coming to Laund Nook in Belper. It's madness here too!"
While TRmin8tor said: "The same problem exists outside every school. Are children born without legs now days? It seems that they have lost the ability to walk."
People have also taken to the Derby Telegraph's Facebook page to welcome the news.
Jane Knape said: "Good but the penalties need to be higher and tougher!"
Craig Cowley added: "About time. These inconsiderate parents who put kids safety at risk. They should put points on their licences too."
