Can sanity be brought to pick up and drop off times around schools in School District 43?
That’s the hope of speakers at a presentation Wednesday, March 13 hosted by the SD43 District Parent Advisory Council.
From double parking in front of schools, U-turns in school zones, parking in no stopping zones in front of schools — all witnessed at a Port Coquitlam elementary school Friday — a serious accident involving children is just one bad driving decision away.
“Hopefully the more education we can get to parents as to how they have to handle their drop offs and pick ups will help to reduce the stress levels of others parent in the morning rushes,” said Marvin Klassen, DPAC president.
He said DPAC agreed to host the event organized by ICBC and the Coquitlam RCMP because dangerous driving in school zones has become a major problem.
Klassen said his own school, Kilmer, had problems until police showed up and started handing out tickets.
And while the presentation will offer driving tips, a rules of the road refresher and transit safety, Klassen thinks it’s just the first step needed to calm the traffic situation around schools.
He’d like to see more planning and discussion to deal with the situation.
For example, new schools should be built with drop off and pick ups in mind.
And while it’s a nice idea to have students walk or bike to school, he wouldn’t advise it in areas where there is a lot of traffic congestion until a proper plan is in place for a safe walk or ride to school.
“I love the idea (of students walking or cycling to school), he said, but he wouldn’t recommend it for his children or other families because “the traffic goes so fast down my street.”
Still, if more parents understood the rules of the road, there’s a better chance that school traffic problems could be reduced and he encourages parents to attend the free event.
It takes place in the Gallery Room at Winslow Centre, 1100 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam. The event is free but register here.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the seminar runs from 7-8:30 p.m. Other partners include Port Moody and transit police.
