Would this drive you crazy??

[McKelly]

Every morning when I go to drop off my kids from school, there is a MULTITUDE of parents that drop their kids off at an intersection instead of the circle in front of the school (where you are supposed to drop them off). The intersection is a block north of the school, the parents are too lazy to drive one block south and drop their kids off directly in front of school. Here is the problem, it takes FOREVER. A parent will stop at the stop sign, and then there is a long pause, while little Johnny or Susie collects their belongings, gets out of the car, runs to the crosswalk and then looks at traffic (yes mom or dad is holding it up one direction) and then scoots across the road. Then, the next car pulls up and DOES THE SAME THING. Some mornings up to five cars do this, and then I FINALLY get up to the intersection and am able to drive around the block to deposit my kids at school. This adds at least 5-10 minutes to my morning - WHY do people think it's okay to inconvenience everybody else - WE ARE ALL GOING TO WORK! It's not all about you people!

NOT TO MENTION - it is not safe. Some of these kids DO NOT use the crosswalk. They dart from the car into oncoming traffic, which causes the oncoming cars, from the opposite end of the intersection, to have to slam on their brakes. And now, with the clocks changing, it's going to be really dark and I am worried someone is going to get hit.

I have contacted the police, but they do nothing. I just wonder if I am being crazy about this or what? Would this not irritiate anybody else? I guess not, because SO MANY people think it's okay.

 

[Janepod]

Every morning when I go to drop off my kids from school, there is a MULTITUDE of parents that drop their kids off at an intersection instead of the circle in front of the school (where you are supposed to drop them off). The intersection is a block north of the school, the parents are too lazy to drive one block south and drop their kids off directly in front of school. Here is the problem, it takes FOREVER. A parent will stop at the stop sign, and then there is a long pause, while little Johnny or Susie collects their belongings, gets out of the car, runs to the crosswalk and then looks at traffic (yes mom or dad is holding it up one direction) and then scoots across the road. Then, the next car pulls up and DOES THE SAME THING. Some mornings up to five cars do this, and then I FINALLY get up to the intersection and am able to drive around the block to deposit my kids at school. This adds at least 5-10 minutes to my morning - WHY do people think it's okay to inconvenience everybody else - WE ARE ALL GOING TO WORK! It's not all about you people!

NOT TO MENTION - it is not safe. Some of these kids DO NOT use the crosswalk. They dart from the car into oncoming traffic, which causes the oncoming cars, from the opposite end of the intersection, to have to slam on their brakes. And now, with the clocks changing, it's going to be really dark and I am worried someone is going to get hit.

I have contacted the police, but they do nothing. I just wonder if I am being crazy about this or what? Would this not irritiate anybody else? I guess not, because SO MANY people think it's okay.

If it's only five cars, how can it possibly take 5-10 minutes?
It sounds like what they are doing is legal, and the police don't think it's an issue, so perhaps you want to find a solution that causes you less stress -- e.g., approach the school from another direction, have your kids take the bus, leave the house earlier (or later), etc. Good luck.

 

[SLP958]

Yes, that sounds dangerous and annoying.

I would call the school and police again.

 

[McKelly]

If it's only five cars, how can it possibly take 5-10 minutes?
It sounds like what they are doing is legal, and the police don't think it's an issue, so perhaps you want to find a solution that causes you less stress -- e.g., approach the school from another direction, have your kids take the bus, leave the house earlier (or later), etc. Good luck.

Because the kids take FOREVER to get out of the car. You can see them gathering their belongings, leaning over for a kiss good-bye, running back when mom rolls down the window for a last minute instruction for the day, then they finally get to the crosswalk, where they have to wait for traffic to cross and then mom finally pulls through the intersection and the next car pulls up, to just start the whole process all over again. I timed it - SEVEN minutes today.

And I DO leave the house earlier, so I can take my kids through the circle for drop off. Can you not see why it would anger me that I should leave even SOONER because other people choose to do this every AM? The school is on a river, there is only one way in and out. And no bus, you have to live at least two miles to get bused here.

 

[CupcakeKelly]

If it is truly a safety concern (and not an inconvenience issue), I would contact the principal or someone at the school about this. I know the schools in my area have set drop off guidelines in place for safety and efficiency purposes. Does your school have a drop off procedure in place?

 

[McKelly]

Yes, that sounds dangerous and annoying.

I would call the school and police again.

The school says since it's not on their property they can't do anything about it. The police might get another call from me. I don't understand why we can't be PROACTIVE about this, I mean, it's only a matter of time before one of these kids gets hit by a car. I can't imagine that it is legal, but maybe it is???

 

[Janepod]

...

And I DO leave the house earlier, so I can take my kids through the circle for drop off. Can you not see why it would anger me that I should leave even SOONER because other people choose to do this every AM? The school is on a river, there is only one way in and out. And no bus, you have to live at least two miles to get bused here.

That's my point. I *do* see how it angers you, and it's unfortunate that it does. What I was trying to say is that if the police and school do not want to take action (and it sounds like they do not) you need to find a way to either eliminate your anger (alternate route, bus, time, etc.) or just let it go. It's out of your hands, you can't control it, and going through life angry five mornings a week is no way to live. I hope you can find another solution.

 

[McKelly]

If it is truly a safety concern (and not an inconvenience issue), I would contact the principal or someone at the school about this. I know the schools in my area have set drop off guidelines in place for safety and efficiency purposes. Does your school have a drop off procedure in place?

Yes, they do have a dropoff schedule, at the school, not on a public street. The principal agrees with me, but her hands are tied. She said she would call the police as well.

It is definitely a safety concern (and I am not going to lie - inconvenience too). I can't imagine what the parents are thinking when they see their kids, or someone elses, almost get run down by oncoming traffic. But yet, they still choose to do it.......

 

[RitaE]

Careful - it sounds like one of those situations where if you complain enough the Principal might give you Volunteer Crossing guard duty.

 

[mjkacmom]

All of my kids walk to school, and have for years. On the odd chance that I drive them, I will kick them out of the van before I make that turn that leads to the drop off. They will get to school 15 minutes faster! However, I'm usually in a dead stop, and the kids walk up to the crossing guard, so there is no danger - they just join the other walkers.

Honestly, I'm always surprised how many DON'T do this - what drives me nuts are the parents who let little suzie and johnny out in the drop off lane, and instead of pulling away, need to linger to watch them walk into the door!

 

[dyna]

IF you are going to drive kids to school then drive them to school don't risk one of yours being hit crossing street a block from school.

Even tho I never worked outside the home I drove mine to school every day an picked them up at school every day. They never rode the bus. Some yrs all 3 of mine went to school at totally different times 1 had to be at school no later than 6:30 am 1 at 7:45 another at 9:00 OHHHHHHH an they got out of school at different times too.

I had at least 1 in school every yr from 1980 to 2006 that's a lot of trips to school.

 

[Katy Belle]

I hear ya! We have a similar thing going on, but in the school parking lot! Principal tells me its the way "we've always done it" and no one has ever gotten hurt. I just breathe deep and dodge kids. The way they tell you to drop off is to hug the perimeter of the parking lot, basically drive in a U shape, when you get to the door, your kid hops out and in he goes. This is what I do and many others as well. Others can't stand to wait in the line, so they make their own U on the inside, or pull into a parking space in the lot, close to the door, but the U is still closer to the door. So their kids have to cross between those of us dropping our kids off. AND buses are in the line with us, so those parents ignore the Stop signs on the buses and go ahead and drive out of the parking lot. Irritating. But "we've always done it this way." I'm new, what do I know, but it feels dangerous. Those kids are relying on the drivers to be paying attention when they run in between all of our cars!

 

[kimj88]

Every morning when I go to drop off my kids from school, there is a MULTITUDE of parents that drop their kids off at an intersection instead of the circle in front of the school (where you are supposed to drop them off). The intersection is a block north of the school, the parents are too lazy to drive one block south and drop their kids off directly in front of school. Here is the problem, it takes FOREVER. A parent will stop at the stop sign, and then there is a long pause, while little Johnny or Susie collects their belongings, gets out of the car, runs to the crosswalk and then looks at traffic (yes mom or dad is holding it up one direction) and then scoots across the road. Then, the next car pulls up and DOES THE SAME THING. Some mornings up to five cars do this, and then I FINALLY get up to the intersection and am able to drive around the block to deposit my kids at school. This adds at least 5-10 minutes to my morning - WHY do people think it's okay to inconvenience everybody else - WE ARE ALL GOING TO WORK! It's not all about you people!

NOT TO MENTION - it is not safe. Some of these kids DO NOT use the crosswalk. They dart from the car into oncoming traffic, which causes the oncoming cars, from the opposite end of the intersection, to have to slam on their brakes. And now, with the clocks changing, it's going to be really dark and I am worried someone is going to get hit.

I have contacted the police, but they do nothing. I just wonder if I am being crazy about this or what? Would this not irritiate anybody else? I guess not, because SO MANY people think it's okay.

This would absolutely bother me. I would keep calling the police and the principal until something gets done. While obviously annoying in multiple ways, it is also just so very unsafe.

 

[goofyintoronto]

This would absolutely bother me. I would keep calling the police and the principal until something gets done. While obviously annoying in multiple ways, it is also just so very unsafe.

I agree. Its very annoying and yes, i can see it being about a 5-10 min wait! At 5 cars, and a minimum of 1 kid in each car....they have to get out, get their bag...yup, at least 5 min! I'd call the school and drop by in person on a regular basis until they get the message. What theyre doing is not safe.

 

[wiigirl]

If it is truly a safety concern (and not an inconvenience issue), I would contact the principal or someone at the school about this. I know the schools in my area have set drop off guidelines in place for safety and efficiency purposes. Does your school have a drop off procedure in place?

this.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Every morning when I go to drop off my kids from school, there is a MULTITUDE of parents that drop their kids off at an intersection instead of the circle in front of the school (where you are supposed to drop them off). The intersection is a block north of the school, the parents are too lazy to drive one block south and drop their kids off directly in front of school. Here is the problem, it takes FOREVER. A parent will stop at the stop sign, and then there is a long pause, while little Johnny or Susie collects their belongings, gets out of the car, runs to the crosswalk and then looks at traffic (yes mom or dad is holding it up one direction) and then scoots across the road. Then, the next car pulls up and DOES THE SAME THING. Some mornings up to five cars do this, and then I FINALLY get up to the intersection and am able to drive around the block to deposit my kids at school. This adds at least 5-10 minutes to my morning - WHY do people think it's okay to inconvenience everybody else - WE ARE ALL GOING TO WORK! It's not all about you people!

NOT TO MENTION - it is not safe. Some of these kids DO NOT use the crosswalk. They dart from the car into oncoming traffic, which causes the oncoming cars, from the opposite end of the intersection, to have to slam on their brakes. And now, with the clocks changing, it's going to be really dark and I am worried someone is going to get hit.

I have contacted the police, but they do nothing. I just wonder if I am being crazy about this or what? Would this not irritiate anybody else? I guess not, because SO MANY people think it's okay.

Until your school involves the police, it will continue to happen.

We have a full time police officer and teachers that direct morning traffic each morning.

If the principal refuses to do anything, contact the superintendent.

 

[nene0182]

My son has been going to the same school for 6 years and every month we get 2-3 notes that tell parents not to drop their kids off in front of the school because it's on a busy road out of our neighborhood and if they must use that road to pull into the pool parking lot a block away and drop them off there and little Suzie can just walk the rest of the way. Or you have the option of pulling into the parking lot off the side street or there is another street safe for drop off at the back of the school. But, it doesn't matter parents still stop on the main road and let the kids out.

 

[DisFam11]

The clocks changing will actually help the situation. We fall back so it will actually be one hour later and thus lighter outside.

 

[Tozzie]

It isn't on school property so stop calling the principal, they can't do anything and they can't tell the parents where to drop kids if it isn't on school property.

As for the police, there isn't much they can do either, what the other parents are doing is not illegal.

You are going to have to either deal with it or find a different route to school.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

This is why I wouldn't drive my kids to school. Walk or bus kiddies.