What's going on, Albuquerque?

Those yellow lights and stripey lines...

Maybe you're in a hurry most days, or you just don't think about it, or you think it doesn't affect you because you don't have children. Maybe you really need to get where you're going, and there are too many of them, and it's oh so annoying to have to be slowed down this way Every. Single. Day.

But I am begging you - PLEASE be more aware of school crossings around Albuquerque, especially around middle and high schools where there are no crossing guards.

I have 3 children in school here; 2 at Apache Elementary which sits on the very busy Copper Ave. near Tramway, and one at Jackson Middle School, which is on Indian School near Eubank, and is also a busy road.

I usually feel safer with my younger two because they, as elementary students, have the privilege of having a crossing guard to help them safely across the street.

The middle schoolers at Jackson MS are not so lucky. There is a crosswalk right in front of the school. And every day, there is a slew of traffic in both directions. Often, even though there are students at the corner waiting to cross, traffic just keeps going through. There is no crossing guard to stop them.

I understand that you in your vehicles have right of way, and these students are generally good about waiting until traffic clears. But wouldn't it be great if, when students are there very obviously trying to cross the street, cars would stop and let the students cross, and then resume driving? And I think this should take place at EVERY school crossing.

Additionally, pay attention to school zone speed limits. You may think it's no big deal...but to all the moms and dads whose kids are walking those areas every day, it's a very big deal.

Tags: driving, school, traffic

0 members like this

Comment by Ron Da Bomb on September 25, 2008 at 9:54am: Amen.

Comment by Jessica on September 25, 2008 at 10:07am: No, I believe they are trained and paid. Elementary schools get assigned crossing guards; middle and high schools do not.

Comment by mombat on September 25, 2008 at 10:35am: Vehicles don't have the right of way in the crosswalk, pedestrians do.
Is the PTA at your school open to doing something about the crosswalks, like signs, parent volunteers or fencing?
At my older daughter's school teachers and students hang out in the parking lot before and after school with signs telling us all slow down and being goofy. It has worked well.
Good luck.

Comment by Jessica on September 25, 2008 at 10:43am: Well, the parents themselves at this school don't even follow the rules. We have a sign AND a cone-and-yellow-tape barricade saying there are no left turns allowed out of the parking lot during the beginning and end of school, and yet people still do it. Parent volunteers and such are a good idea, but not always practical (most parents have to be at work during these times, for instance). I just want people all over, even those who don't have children in school, to be more aware when they are driving.

Comment by Dawn Allynn on September 25, 2008 at 12:20pm: I always try to be aware of how I am driving wherever I am at. It is easy, as you mentioned, to get sidetracked, or in a hurry, and forget. It just takes one second of bad judgment to cause an accident or end a life. The speed limit on my street is 25 mph, and people constantly drive down it 45 mph or faster. It worries me. I can sometimes understand that someone on their way home might forget and go fast, but it stuns me that someone could ignore the speed limits and driving laws in a school zone, how obvious can the danger be?

Comment by Bluegoo on September 25, 2008 at 12:40pm: Most follow the school zone speed limits on both roads you talk about. I agree kids from 6 to 12 are not so good at crossing streets. But the mid schooler and high schooler have been doing it for awhile hopfuly they know how to safely cross a street ?

Comment by Jessica on September 25, 2008 at 1:59pm: Well, I agree mid and high schoolers should (and mostly do) know how to cross a street. However, I'm asking that drivers be a bit more aware, and yield to these kids. There is no reason cars can't stop for the 15 seconds it takes for kids waiting at the corner to cross.

Comment by Ron Da Bomb on September 25, 2008 at 3:33pm: People passing school buses when their little stop sign is out frightens me. Also, didn't it used to be a law that there is no passing in a school zone? I seem to remember that when Mr. McGinnis taught me how to drive some years ago.

Comment by Jessica on September 25, 2008 at 3:47pm: I don't know about that one. I do know it's illegal to pass a stopped school bus from either direction - I'm glad I've never seen that happen!

Comment by jeff on September 25, 2008 at 4:22pm: yup - no passing in a school zone, which also means if someone slows down you have to slow down as well. no lane changes in the zone either.