Increased prevalence of parent drivers on the roads, as found in an ADAC study.

In a recent survey conducted by an unnamed organisation, it was revealed that every fifth child in Germany is driven to school daily by car. In Hamburg, this number is even higher, with up to a third of primary school children being transported by car. This has become a significant concern for authorities and education experts, who are advocating for schoolchildren to make the journey independently.

Christina Tillmann, President of the ADAC Foundation, has recommended this change, citing potential benefits for the concentration, physical fitness, and social behaviour of students. The survey, which polled 1,000 parents nationwide, revealed that the most common reasons given for driving children to school were appointments after school (40%), bad weather (32%), school being on the way to work (30%), and time-saving (22%). Surprisingly, only 12% of respondents cited lack of traffic safety as a reason.

The concern over traffic safety is not unfounded. More than half (56%) of the respondents see "parental taxis" as a danger. The police in Hamburg have repeatedly appealed to parents not to drive their children right up to school, and the Elisabeth-Lange-Schule (Eißendorf) in Hamburg has taken matters into their own hands. Last year, they installed red-and-white bollards to prevent parents from driving right up to the school.

The school authority in Hamburg estimates that up to a third of primary school children are driven to school by car. In contrast, a more positive approach is being taken in Ottensen, where the "Bicibus", a bike column for schoolchildren, makes a round through the district every Friday morning, visiting several primary schools along the way.

Thomas Klinger, a mobility researcher, has discussed reasons from a survey about parents driving their children to school. He emphasised that children who make the journey to school independently are said to strengthen their safety, independence, and mutual respect in traffic. More than half of the respondents also said they would like designated drop-off and pick-up zones to improve traffic conditions.

In conclusion, while the convenience of driving children to school may seem appealing, the potential benefits of independence and safety for schoolchildren, as well as improving traffic conditions, make a strong case for encouraging schoolchildren to make the journey independently.