A Dartford councillor is calling for tougher action against parents who drive and park dangerously outside schools.

Cllr Ann Allen believes more should be done to stop drivers parking on neighbours’ driveways and ignoring lollipop wardens, following complaints from residents and school crossing patrollers.

She said: “Most of the complaints I get are around the attitude of the parents in the way that they park indiscriminately and cause problems.

“People need to behave in a responsible way; to park dangerously and behave dangerously outside schools should become a criminal offence just like not wearing a seat belt or drink driving.”

The Kent County Council representative for Wilmington added a suggestion that when parents apply for schools they should fill out a form telling the school how they plan to get to the building.

She hopes this would encourage more children to walk, cycle or car share, if not think twice about how they drive and park around schools.

Chris Knight, 46, who has been a school crossing patroller for the past three years, has jumped out of the way as drivers refuse to stop outside schools.

He said: “I was doing a patrol on a wet and miserable day and I walked out into the road to allow children to cross and out of the corner of my eye I saw someone approaching so stayed there to allow him to cross as well.

“A car then came towards me and I had to jump out of the way.

“I asked him what he thought he was doing and the driver made a gesture suggesting he didn’t understand me and he drove off.”

As the driver drove on, Mr Knight recorded his details, which resulted in the offender attending an improvement course.

Mr Knight added: “I’m glad that the driver has not got away with this and was made to go on a driver improvement course and hopefully they won’t do it again.

“If people think they can get away with it once, they’ll do it again.

“I understand people want to get somewhere but if you know the area, you know it will be busy.

“People just need to have some patience.”

KCC cabinet member for transport Mike Whiting said: “Our school crossing patrol officers have the same authority as a police officer to stop traffic, as set out clearly in the Highway Code.

“Failing to stop puts vulnerable road users at risk and the patrol staff are instructed to report any driver who fails to stop to the police and this could result in prosecution.

“I realise people are in a rush in the mornings and at home time, but a little bit of patience can go a long way in bringing down incidents on our roads.”

The Home Office has been contacted for a comment.