The student parking lot is a dangerous, chaotic place for students, as rules are often ignored. A speed limit needs to be clear and enforced. 

Earlier this year, senior Noemi Azzani was nearly hit in the student parking lot while walking to school.

“This truck just starts accelerating [while I’m crossing the crosswalk] and I push my friend out of the way…but he hits my backpack and I spin around…and the driver wasn’t really sorry about it,” Azzani said. 

However, this terrible incident is not uncommon in the parking lot. According to many other seniors and juniors who drive to school, the parking lot is a mess with parent drop off, student parking, and staff parking. As corroborated by Azzani, everyone is in a rush to get to school and work, causing lots of stress. To add, the school is under construction with a singular entrance and exit, and a changing layout from week to week. 

Although rules are set, such as specified teacher parking locations, a student drop-off route, and rules regarding the way students can back into their parking lot, they are often ignored. Teachers often take student parking spots in order to secure a shorter walk to the school entrance. This forces many juniors to park in the neighboring church parking lot, which is practically trespassing, as the church is not school owned. Meanwhile, parents blaze their own trails in order to make it easier to drop off their kids. The fact that there is a speed limit is virtually unknown. 

Security guard Mr. James Rice has a similar opinion about the issues.

“The parent who hit Azzani was in a big rush…and no one abides by the speed limit,” Mr. Rice claimed. 

Parking lots are known to be dangerous places. According to Trans Line Industries, 20% of child fatalities from traffic occurred in places like parking lots. This accounts for places with clear routes and signage, which the parking lot lacks due to construction. 

According to the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), an organization working to create safer schools, schools are responsible for mitigating risks. 

This might include clearer signs, which is recommended by PASS, stating that the parking lot architecture should be understandable, communications should be available to the main office, and routine checks should be done. 

Mr. Rice explains that the security department ensures that security is present in the parking lot before and after school, to show professional involvement. He also claims that the security cameras are beneficial to keep things in check.

“People need to look out for pedestrians and students,” Mr. Rice concluded.

After her incident with a fast truck, Azzani has similar recommendations.

“A speed limit, but it’s not like people would listen. Maybe a sign that says, ‘careful of the kids’,” Azzani said. 

The disarray of the parking lot is unsafe and unfair to everyone as they go through their busy lives. It is an unnecessary bump in the road. Clear signage and speed limits need to be implemented and obeyed.