Since the beginning of the 2005/2006 school year, as many as 31 accidents, two resulting in fatalities, have been reported near Clark County School District campuses. Such staggering numbers have prompted our community to join forces to reduce the traffic dangers our children face on their way to and from school. Several factors contribute to these accidents. Poor driver habits, over crowded schools, road construction, limited crosswalk visibility and poor pedestrian habits are just a few of these factors.

Parents contribute to a majority of the traffic problems within school zones. Speeding, road rage, parking on Fire Lanes, parking on crosswalks and double parking are a few of the common problems schools face. These problems are compounded when parents are driving while talking on a cell phone.

Most schools are not designed to handle large volumes of vehicle traffic. Small parking lots and little or no on-street parking contribute to illegal parking practices.

Construction projects within school zones or on school walking/biking routes have a serious impact to the safety of our children on their way to and from school. Lack of communication between developers, city workers, school staff and parents puts our children at risk every day.

High profile vehicles make it difficult to see children in our crosswalks. This combined with poor pedestrian habits puts our children at risk on their way to and from school. We need to teach our children how to be seen around high profile vehicles. Our children also need to realize that distracted drivers may not stop or slow down for them.