After careful observation of the traffic around the school over the years and this past week in particular, especially on West 205th St. (the main roadway in front of the school), we must make this urgent appeal to all parents who drive their children to school and to any driving-age students who drive themselves to school:
1) Please obey all traffic laws of the City of New York and New York State.Starting as early as 7:30 am when the first student pedestrians arrive, and school buses begin to queue on the westbound, school-side of the street, the block gets congested quickly. In the past, drivers have been observed speeding up and making illegal U-turns to avoid getting stuck at the traffic light or behind the school bus STOP signs. It should go without saying that this creates an acute safety hazard to student pedestrians crossing the street, and to other drivers who are obeying the traffic laws.
2) Please do not double (or triple) park your vehicle in the roadway for any reason, even for a short duration. Just dropoff and go! Leaving your vehicle to take a photo or walking your student to the entrance of the school only creates an obstacle that other vehicles and school buses must circumnavigate to get to their destination. It can also force drivers to let their children out in the middle of a very busy street. So, if you must accompany your child to school or enter the building for legitimate reasons, please park on either Paul or Goulden Avenues and walk the short distance the rest of the way.
Over the years, traffic-calming measures, including the installation of a traffic light in front of the school, have greatly improved safety. Those measures however are at risk of being erased by the actions of a few irresponsible drivers. It just takes one mistake to change lives irrevocably.
If everyone obeys the traffic rules, our children will be safer. It’s that simple. It’s that important. PLEASE do the right thing.
Thank you.
The Bronx High School of Science Parents’ Association
