Traffic woes near Schools: Some suggestions

Sir,

As schools are essential parts of our life, one will find them in all residential areas, commercial areas and even on main roads. Without going into the details of the traffic problems near these schools, I would like to make some suggestions which would require active participation of the school, civic body, Traffic Police authorities and the parents:

1. The Principal of the school should spend at least 10 minutes in a week during the school assembly to educate the students on traffic rules. It may not be a bad idea to invite a Traffic Superintendent to address the students on this subject occasionally.
2. The importance of walking on the footpath MUST be emphasised to the students. To facilitate this, civic authorities should ensure that a proper footpath is maintained around the school.
3. Parents dropping the children should also be responsible. They should drop their ward in the same side as the school so as to avoid children dashing across the busy road.
4. A drastic solution which is most effective in Western countries is as follows: The road facing the school from one crossing to the next crossing should be blocked for 20 minutes in the morning before the school starts and for 20 minutes after the school closes. Initially, Traffic Police may be required to administer but once the system is functioning smoothly, designated school teachers by rotation can take up this responsibility. (Even some of the senior citizens of the locality could take up this responsibility.)

School buses and parents dropping their children could drop them on either side of the no entry point and the children could then walk up to the gate without any worry of the traffic.

Even Class 5 students in a primary school could act as warden to escort the young Class1 and 2 students up to the gate. This would inculcate some responsibility and discipline to the senior students. I have personally seen this system work perfectly in USA.

– A Concerned Citizen, Jayalakshmipuram, 21.7.2017

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