One school zone is not safe for kids
3:47 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Speeding, parking in areas labeled no parking, and other laws are being broken, according to some neighbors around Shaner Elementary. The city is trying to fix the problem by making SW 34th Street a one-way street, re-routing traffic to SW Harp and SW Tara.
Crossing the street for some kids has become a dangerous gamble.
"My son last year almost got hit by a car, the lady never even touched her brakes," parent Jara Motney said.
Now she says one parent is always outside watching the kids when school lets out.
"It is a rule. It doesn't matter if its raining or snowing, or sleeting or hailing, one of us has to be out here at the curb to allow them to cross because it is not safe," Motney said.
Jara Motney's kids can't cross at the crosswalk where others do because they would have to cross many driveways.
"If they want to stay free from getting hit by cars turning around in driveways, if they want to stay free from snow or mud after it has rained, this is their only access to getting home," Motney said.
The city sent a letter about the possibility of making 34th a one-way street when school lets out.
Many neighbors don't think this will help the traffic problem.
"The 45 minute one way closing would effect everyone on this street. The first seven houses have families that come home between 3 and 3:45," neighbor Scott Sanders said.
Sanders says neighbors who live on 34th would have to follow the one-way path, too.
"We would have to follow the same route and we'd have to go down Tara or Harp, and get congested with the Mulvane traffic for picking up kids at school," Sanders said.
Shaner Elementary principal Robert Gay didn't want to speak on camera, but while we were talking about the one-way plan, neighbors drove up and expressed their frustration.
Gay says he doesn't want to upset the neighbors, but he is concerned about the children's safety.
Sanders does say something needs to be done, but a one-way street isn't the solution.
"They get some bonus points but you know they need to involve the community," Sanders said.
Topeka city spokesman Dave Bevens said Principal Gay has asked to make 34th a one-way street for two years.
The city is giving neighbors on the street two weeks to give their opinions before making any decisions.
Comments
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Sep. 23, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)toadman40 (anonymous)
I live on the corner of tara and mulvane street and have a kid that goes to school there. One problem in the neighborhood is the lack of school zone speed limits. The only sign is along 34th street but watch the kids walk down malvane street and watch all the traffic speed by. I have live here for 11 years and have had 3 cars end up in my neighbors yard from people speeding at all time of the day. I think they should install more school zone speed limits along all the streets that intersect the school or even install speed bumps along the streets . i have told the police they could easly write up to 100 tickets a day just at the corner of tara, mulvane wher there are no stop signs or school zones where the kids walk home.
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