Discussions

Two days ago I witnessed something that made my heart almost stop and probably took a year off my life. I dropped my children of at school like hundreds of other parents during this cold snap, a quick kiss and I love you’s and they were off. For some reason I waited in my car as they walked up the street I guess I wanted to make sure they made it in to the school ok. Imagine my horror as I watch my youngest daughter venture across the cross walk in front of her school only to realize that the sport utility vehicle driving down the street is not stopping!!, Thank god for her older sister who yelled got her attention and pulled her back. If you are a parent you can relate to how I was feeling, that is why it has taken me two days to calm down to write this. When is it this cold it amplifies the problem, there are a lot more people around dropping off their children, the exhaust hangs in the air, and several parents do NOT respect the set back laws at cross walks.  
Lets think about this for a minute… . A six year old is about 4 feet tall, the average height of a van or truck is well over that, for if you are parked within 10 feet of the cross walk the children have to get right out into the street to see if it is safe to cross. We have worked very hard to teach our children street safety, but a six year sometimes forgets (any parent can attest to this!!) as well there peripheral vision is not developed till they are about 10 years old, and they are bundled right up to keep warm.  
Many times I have seen cars, taxis, parked ON the cross walk, not just right beside it I once called the fire department because their community education vehicle was parked right on the cross walk, I should have called the Brandon Sun!!  
I do not want to be reading about an injured child…. Please Brandon Drivers, remember these little people do not always have the best judgment when they are on their own, they are our future we need to protect them. Please if you are dropping your children off, stop some where safe even if it means they have to walk a short distance, and if you are going into the school please take a look at where you are parking, most school zones have a loading area, walking a couple of extra feet not only my save a child’s life it is also healthier for you, honestly, is the 60 seconds you may save by illegal parking or stopping really worth it!!  
If you see some parked where they shouldn’t be ask them to move most people understand when you point it out to them.