Car Sharing Guidance
Car Sharing on the School Run – Frequently asked questions
1. What are the benefits of Car Sharing?
2. How safe is Car Sharing? Car Sharing Safety Tips.
3. Do I need a Criminal Records Check?
4. What are the insurance implications of sharing the school run?
5. Do I need to provide child seats?
6. What happens if the other driver lets me down?
What is Car Sharing?
Car sharing is when two or more people share a car and travel together. It allows people to benefitfrom the convenience of the car, whilst alleviating the associated problems of congestion andpollution. However, this does not just have to be about car sharing. By being in contact withothers, there are also other ‘Buddy’ systems to think about - sharing the walk to school, cycling oreven the bus. It is one way of ensuring that if your child is able to get to school other than by car,then they can do so in the knowledge that if you cannot be with them, they will not be on their own.
1. What are the benefits of Car Sharing?
To You:
Reduce the amount of time spent taking the children to and from school
Avoid the early morning traffic
Reduce the cost of taking the children to school
Meet other parents living locally with children at the same school
Reduces pollution
To Your child:
Meet other children living locally who attend the same school
Discover how easy it is to be socially and environmentally responsible
To The School:
Reduced congestion around the school
Reduced pollution around the school
Reduced parking problems in and around the school
Improved relations with the local community
Improved community spirit
2. How safe is Car Sharing?
This is a very important question for every parent/carer and only you can decide who you are
happy to allow your child to travel with.It is advisable to check all the legal driving documents, such as driving licence, car insurance, MOTand car tax whether you know the driver or not. We have put together the following safety tips for you to consider:
Car Sharing Safety Tips
1)Meet potential car share partners on mutual grounds to assess each others needs e.g. at school.
2)Introduce your child to the other family prior to the first car share trip.
3)Ensure that you are happy with the other parent’s driving credentials:
Show each other your driving licenses
Show each other your certificates of insurance, MOT and Tax disc
Go for a drive with the other parent.
4)Ensure that your child’s car seat can be fitted into the other parents car safely and securely.
5)Swap Emergency contact details and make sure that any changes are agreed.
6)Set up a contingency plan for in the event of an emergency.
7)Agree acceptable terms if a pet is in the car for the school journey.
8)Ensure the other parent is aware of any medical conditions e.g. allergies, asthma.
3. Do I need a Criminal Records Check?
This up to you and the other interested parties. If you are joining a scheme that involves peopleyou may not know very well, some parents are happier to request these. The school may make ita condition of the initiative, however be aware there is a charge for these checks and the schoolmay not be able to fund the cost.
4. What are the insurance implications of sharing the schoolrun?
Sharing the school run should not increase your insurance costs, though charging passengersmore than their share of the running cost can invalidate your cover."Giving Lifts - All ABI (Association of British Insurers) motor insurers have agreed that if yourpassengers contribute towards your running costs your insurance cover will not be affected, aslong as lifts are given in a vehicle seating eight passengers or less. This agreement does not apply
if you make a profit from payments received or if carrying passengers is your business."
(Source:ABI web site, 2005)
5. Do I need to provide child seats?
The law will apply whether your child is in your car or a friend’s. This must be organised in advanceso that all participants are adequately prepared. It is important that you are happy that your child isproperly restrained in any vehicle. If your child is coming back in a different car, then again that carmust have appropriate restraints.
6. What happens if the other driver lets me down?
If for any reason a participant cannot fulfil their expected journey, thenyou should agree that the appropriate parent/careror school is notified immediately so that alternative arrangements can be made without any upsetto the child. It is always worth having an alternative plan for unforeseen circumstances.
Please note that all car sharing is an arrangement between private individuals. Neither the School nor Hampshire County Council accept responsibility for any car sharing arrangements and/or liability for any damages and/or injuries and/or death that may be caused or result from a car sharing arrangement. The School and HCC advise that it is the responsibility of any person involved in a car sharing scheme to make all appropriate checks including (but not limited to) the insurance, MOT, driving licence and criminal records position for anyone with whom they are participating in a car sharing scheme.
With thanks to Surrey County Council who have allowed us to utilise their car sharing guidance to produce a Hampshire version.