Every Northamptonshire primary school can have two Parking Buddy pavement signs and a road safety banner free, launched for Road Safety Week, 15 to 21 November.

Every primary school in Northampton and the rest of Northamptonshire can now ask for a free pack of signs to stop drivers parking dangerously at the school gate. Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone launched the Safer Schools Parking Packs for Road Safety Week, which runs from 15 to 21 November. (Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, 12 November 2026)

What is in a pack

Each pack holds two “Parking Buddy” pavement signs, which the commissioner’s office describes as highly visible. There is also a road safety banner for the school to put up. Both are meant to encourage considerate parking and driving around the school gates.

The packs are free to every primary school in the county. Schools also get access to educational materials and support, so teachers can cover road safety in lessons as well as outside.

Why the commissioner’s office says it matters

Road traffic incidents remain the leading cause of child deaths in the UK, the commissioner’s office says. It says around 1,200 children are injured every month within 500 metres of a school.

What schools and parents are asked to do

The guidance that comes with the packs asks schools to:

  • raise awareness through newsletters and assemblies
  • put up clear signs
  • promote walking, cycling and other active ways of getting to school
  • work with partners on parking problems that keep coming back

The advice for parents is to park legally and considerately, keep out of restricted areas, and leave routes clear for people on foot and for emergency vehicles.

What Danielle Stone says

“Every child deserves to travel to and from school safely, and I know how hard schools work to promote safe and responsible behaviours,” Ms Stone said. “The Safer Schools Parking Packs have been developed to support those efforts and provide practical resources that can help reinforce important road safety messages with pupils, parents and the wider community.

“Small changes in the way we drive and park can make a significant difference to the safety of children and families.

“Road Safety Week is the perfect opportunity to launch this initiative and remind everyone that we all have a responsibility to help keep our roads safe. By working together, schools, parents, communities and partners can create safer environments around school gates and help ensure every child can travel to and from school safely.”

More school safety work to come

The commissioner’s office says the packs are the start of a wider programme of school safety work. Its crime reduction team will keep working with schools on further ways to keep children and young people safe. The scheme sits under the road safety priorities in the commissioner’s Safe and Sound Plan.

Police and fire budget survey closes 12 January

Residents are also being asked for their views on next year’s police and fire precepts, the parts of council tax that pay for local policing, fire and rescue and community safety work. The consultation survey closes at 9am on Tuesday 12 January 2027. The commissioner’s final proposals then go to the Police, Fire and Crime Panel.