Stress and strife of the school run

SCHOOL RUN WARS are rife, with parents prepared to squabble over parking spaces and argue with their children, according to a survey.

As many as 23% of mothers and fathers admitted blocking another parent in with their vehicle and 14% owned up to cutting someone up, the poll of more than 3,000 motorists by Auto Trader showed.

Also, 16% of parents have argued with other mothers and fathers on the school run and 53% have had rows with their children.

The poll also showed:

:: 60% of parents feel stressed on the school run;

:: 43% even worried about the trip the night before;

:: 29% admitted to parking illegally to get closer to the school;

:: 50% were envious of other parents' cars and 23% were embarrassed about their own vehicle;

:: Aston Martin, BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen topped the list of cars families would most like to be seen in.

Auto Trader editor-in-chief Jon Quirk said: "With so much going on and so early in the day, it is not a surprise that the school run brings the worst out in us."

He added that, with more gadgets now available, "hopefully future school trips will be that little bit more pleasurable for driver and passenger".

By Peter Woodman, Press Association