A war has been declared by Birmingham City Council on selfish parents blocking roads around schools by handing out almost £140,000 in fines in just 12 months.
The major crackdown saw increasing numbers of parents caught flouting parking laws after the council deployed surveillance camera vans.
Last year, 1,974 penalty charge notices (PCNs) were dished out which was a 25 per cent rise on the previous 12 months.
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The crackdown followed concerns about the rising tide of potentially dangerous parking around school times.
Some areas are brought to a standstill by the huge numbers of parents leaving their vehicles on verges, blocking drives and even parking over zigzag road lines next to school gates.
In Wheelers Lane, Kings Heath, cars are often lined up nose to tail, with drivers barely able to get through, and anyone crossing the road is forced to walk out between cars.
The figures, which have been revealed in a Freedom of Information request, showed that in 2012 there were 1,578 £70 fines in the city. But in 2013 the 1,974 PCNs handed out amounted to £138,180 in fines.
Birmingham City Council told the Post officials had been targeting parents where there had been serious concerns about safety.
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A council spokeswoman said: "Pupils' safety as they arrive at and leave school is paramount.
"There are approximately 420 schools in Birmingham, the majority of which have parking restrictions outside and receive a level of enforcement. The fines are designed to be a deterrent, however, this is still a serious issue across the city.
"In some areas, there is a more critical need and as such some schools require a higher level of attention from parking wardens, in order to deter illegal and irresponsible parking around schools, especially on the School Keep Clear markings.
"We use one mobile CCTV vehicle to carry out parking enforcement activity where traditional methods cannot be used, such as outside schools and at bus stops.
"It is essential that we ensure roads are as safe as possible in such settings, and the deterrent created by the vehicle and the fines is a vital tool for the council to achieve this safety."