Warning! The Parent Next Door Could Kill or Injure Your Child!

I stop at the intersection and wait patiently for the cavalcade of speeding cars to present a break, so I can safely walk across the street. There is a lull in the traffic. I start to walk across the street. However, the SUV that is suddenly hurtling towards me seemingly faster than a meteor gives no indication of slowing. The driver is going far faster than the school zone speed limit of 20MPH and her ear is glued to a cell phone.

I realize the mom sees me but does not see my dog Max who is walking ahead of me on a six foot leash. I yell stop as I frantically pull Max out of harm’s way. The driver who is perched high in the air in her SUV still doesn’t see Max and gives me a dirty look as she continues down the street to deposit her child in front of the school.

Max looks at me as if to say, "What an Idiot!"

I shake my head and silently agree with Max, but I am not surprised. Each school morning and afternoon moms and dads hurtle towards local primary and middle schools to drop their precious darlings off before school or pick them up after school. From what I have seen it is the same around most suburban schools everywhere.

Meanwhile, almost empty school busses pull up in front of the same school to drop off or pick up an amazingly few kids. I notice the school bus drivers are obeying the speed limits and are not talking on cell phones. Perhaps the parents should do the same.

It is no wonder that according to the NHSTA in 2008 more than 15000 children under the age of 15 were injured by drivers who hit them with their vehicles, and another 316 were killed.

Many of these accidents and fatalities could have been avoided if the parents of the victims had elected to have their children be transported to school by school buses. School buses are the safest form of transportation for students, and are in fact many times safer than riding in the family car.

In addition, every child riding in a school bus represents one fewer car on the road in the congested areas around schools where children (and people walking dogs) are at a higher risk of being killed or injured.

Consider this if you are a parent and are also environmentally conscious.  When children ride in school buses instead of in a family vehicles there is a reduction in the number of cars on the road and resulting pollution.

It is ironic that despite the predictable vehicular traffic congestion that is found around most primary and middle schools each day that there is seldom a police officer or squad car present.  

What could police departments do on a regular basis that is more important than helping prevent possible injuries and deaths to children by careless drivers? Could it possibly be they don’t wish to alienate the drivers who are almost always inhabitants of the local community? 

In addition to regular police presence schools could remind parents to not talk on cell phones; to obey the speed limit;  and to be watchful if they drop their children off or pick them up.

Also, more stop signs and better defined cross walks could help reduce the potential for vehicular injuries or fatalities to children. Perhaps even speed bumps could be considered as a deterrent to speeders.

Communities could remind parents

·         That it is safer for children to ride school buses.

·          It is more environmentally friendly to have children ride school busses.

·         If you insist on dropping your child off at school if you live within walking distance, than walk. The exercise will do you and your child much more good than sitting on your butts as you drive  to school will do.

Meanwhile, I shall avoid selecting a route that takes me anywhere near my local middle or primary schools when I walk Max.   I would hate to inconvenience someone by being a pedestrian traffic statistic.