School Crossings—a “safe space” or “hazardous zone”?

The safety of our school children is dependent upon many things. Including extra-special attention to and compliance with the special signs, speed limits, and flashing lights, etc., at all so identified School Crossings. A responsibility that all drivers should need no special motivation in order to “voluntarily” respect.

And, in a perfect world, the “routine presence” of law enforcement at our School Crossings should not be necessary in order to protect the lives of our school children.  However, given the reality around us, “irresponsible driving behaviors” continue to sound a not to be ignored warning that the need for “enforced” law-abiding behavior too often exists!

Especially at threatening locations, such as that posed by northbound and southbound traffic approaching and passing through the School Crossing at 16th & Dirr in Parsons, Kansas. Time and again, while personally adhering to the signs, speed limits, and caution lights during active crossing times at this location, I and my husband have often been swiftly “passed” by drivers demonstrating gross and dangerous disregard of applicable law and the threats they pose to others. A most troubling observation very likely experienced by many concerned others.

Therefore, as the result of the irresponsibility of a most dangerous few, the lives of our school children seem more and more dependent upon how our crucially important law enforcement chooses to daily allocate increasingly challenged and limited resources.

As we all, by way of our individual roles and behaviors, determine whether our School Crossings are truly as intended “safe spaces”—or in reality, life-threatening “hazardous zones.” 

                                                            —Ann Moore
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[The above was also included in the Public Mind section on page 4 of the Parsons Sun’s Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, October 29-30, 2022 Edition.]