Drive Cool in the School Zone

It's that time of year again - children are heading back to school and parents are embracing the idea of resuming a more predictable schedule. Before everyone gets too caught up in the hustle and bustle of this much anticipated time in our children's lives, there's an issue that needs to be recognized and addressed: Courtesy and consideration on the roadways surrounding our children's schools.

As we're all well aware, the first few days of school are extremely hectic with increased traffic on the streets and driveways of our schools. I'm asking that each and every parent who drives a child to school makes a conscious effort to exercise caution and consideration for all the other parents on the road.

Last year at my daughter's middle school, I witnessed countless parent drivers who refused to wait their turn in the loop to drop their children off at the school entrance. Instead, these parents would sail past all the waiting cars and cut in at an angle at the front of the line to dispatch their child. This rude and dangerous maneuver prevented the car at the front of the line from exiting, thereby increasing the wait time for everyone else. Sadly, this type of behavior was not an isolated incident practiced by a single parent. There were scores of inconsiderate and selfish drivers who practiced this maneuver DAILY as their means of delivering their children to school. What kind of example does that set for our kids?! Don't we teach them to be patient and considerate and to wait their turn?! Cutting in line in the loop is the metaphorical equivalent of throwing elbows at the grocery store to get to the front of the line. Would any rational person behave that way? Then why would that type of action be acceptable on school property? I understand that these people are in a hurry; that perhaps they have other obligations such as work and dropping off other kids, but you know what? So do I and countless other parents out there!

It is not the responsibility of our already-overburdened school administration to police the actions of parents on the streets and driveways, so what's a parent to do? Call me silly, but I think it's probably a bad idea to begin my children's school day by flipping the bird at another parent or exchanging profanities with another motorist. As gratifying as that would be, my children are entirely too cognizant these days of what goes on around them - haha. Instead, I'm asking that every parent pause for a moment to reflect on their behavior in their car and realize that every day at drop off and pick up is an opportunity to demonstrate to your children how to behave with fairness, kindness and consideration towards others.

The old adage "actions speak louder than words" is completely true. This issue is a simple fix. Make considerate and respectful choices regarding other cars and parents. Let's do better than simply instructing our children to be good citizens in the community; let's show them how it's done.