District responsible for safety

The Editor,

I am a parent who currently has children attending both Betty Huff elementary school and Queen Elizabeth secondary school and I am concerned about the safety of my children getting to and from school using the designated crosswalk at Huntley Avenue and 132nd Street. A young boy was struck and seriously injured at this dangerous crosswalk two years ago and nothing has been done to safeguard our children since.

At the time of this near tragedy, the principal of Betty Huff contacted the head of transportation for the Surrey school district and requested that something be done. The issue was taken to the traffic advisory committee where several recommendations were made, one of which was to put a paid adult crossing guard at the crosswalk. Nothing has materialized since.

My son is very responsible and has been taught to cross properly using the designated crosswalk. The problem is that the traffic will not stop for him or others to cross so they are often left stranded in the middle of a very busy road trying to get to the other side with cars and trucks zooming past. My son has already had a near-miss and witnessed a car swerving onto the shoulder to avoid striking a high school student. Apparently they are expected to enter the crosswalk and stop the flow of traffic with their bodies. This is unacceptable.

I expect the Surrey school board to live up to its duties of providing safe passage for my children and other students who cross at this dangerous crosswalk every day It is ridiculous that I have to drive my children to school to ensure they get there in one piece. It is shameful that this school board is ignoring the basic safety needs of our students and the voices of their parents. We want a crossing guard and we want one now!

Arlene Laing
Surrey

posted on 04/25/2005