A new bid has been launched to tackle the dangers faced by children around their schools.
Police Scotland said the combination of inconsiderate parking and speeding motorists pose a real threat.
“A child struck by a vehicle at 40 miles per hour will almost certainly be killed,” said a police spokesman. “A child struck at 20 miles per hour will most likely survive.”
The police joined forces with Perth and Kinross Council to host an event at the Community School of Auchterarder to promote safe and considerate parking outside schools within the region.
“Inconsiderate parking outside schools is not a new phenomenon and is not an issue that is unique to Perth and Kinross,” said the police.
“It is something that local police officers and the local authority give continuous attention to year on year, term after term.
“When parking to drop off or pick up at school, always give consideration to where you park preferably make it a distance away from the school itself. Try to let children in and out of the car via the door closest to the pavement.
“Do not park on the zig-zag lines outside the school entrance and be careful not to block driveways or other drivers’ views of the road, particularly when parking near to junctions.”
The police said drivers should always reduce their speeds in response to where they are and what is around them.
“This is never more important than when they are on roads where children are making their way to or from school,” they said.
“Slow down when at or near to schools, stay within the speed limits and pay attention.
“All pupils and parents should ensure they cross with care. Responsible behaviour on everyone’s part can help make sure that avoidable accidents, and the trauma and heartbreak that goes with them, are avoided.”
To hammer home the message they reminded motorists of the stopping distances for a car if a child ran out into the road 12 metres at 20mph (three car lengths), 23 metres at 30 miles per hour (six car lengths) and 36 metres at 40 miles per hour (nine car lengths).
A trend outside the Auchterarder school has been the use of the allocated disabled parking spaces by drivers who are not disabled or by parents picking up non-disabled children.
Community Inspector Nicola Russell said: “Parking issues at the school drop-off and pick up times is a perennial problem that needs tackled through education and enforcement where appropriate.”
Deputy head teacher Wendy MacDonald said they were more than happy to work with police officers to address some of the challenges experienced around the school.