UK children driven to school up by 541,000 since 2004

More than half a million more children in the United Kingdom are being driven to school now than two decades ago, a shift that analysts say is increasing vehicle emissions and reducing opportunities for daily physical activity. The finding comes as schools, parents and campaigners observe International Walk to School Month in October, an annual effort to promote walking and wheeling to class.

A review of government travel statistics updated with 2024 figures shows a long term decline in children walking to school alongside a rise in those driven by car or van. Around 48 percent of school‑aged children walked to school about 20 years ago, with 31 percent driven. By 2014 the share walking had fallen to 45 percent and those driven rose to 34 percent. The 2024 data records 44 percent walking and 37 percent being driven. Using Department for Education pupil totals, that equates to about 3.3 million children being driven to school, roughly 541,000 more than in 2004, according to the analysis.

Researchers also estimated the environmental impact of the increase. Applying a standard five mile round trip car journey to the half million additional driven commutes, the analysis calculated...