Navigating Chaos in the School Parking Lot: A Real-Life Tale of Drop-Off Drama

[Flying_Lavey]

Poor plan IMO! This route on map is set up for failure!

Students / occupants are typically dropped "curbside" for the main reason of safety as they exit to a curb not stepping out of a vehicle and into a traffic lane of potential hazards (more importantly children that may simply not understand the dangers of stepping out into moving traffic).

Exactly my thoughts in post #45. HORRIBLY thought out "plan".

 

[Jay Dub]

I agree with what some others have said. Call your insuance company and let them deal with the F150. I'd phrase it like, "he was passing excessively close to my vehicle in a parking lot"

 

[throttle]

Exactly my thoughts in post #45. HORRIBLY thought out "plan".

The school needs to re-evaluate this route! And change it before someone gets hurt or worse.

At a minimum until changed, put some road cones down the middle to identify common space and remind others to stay clear in loading and unloading areas.

 

[throttle]

I agree with what some others have said. Call your insuance company and let them deal with the F150. I'd phrase it like, "he was passing excessively close to my vehicle in a parking lot"

There is that too, the F150 should have been expecting that door to open and allow enough room for loading and unloading if that is the specific purpose of the area.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Whatever you do , don't stand out front of the school and take pictures of the accident location for the insurance company.

That's what I did, and it was followed up by a visit from the police department asking why I was standing out front of a school taking pictures of children

Well officer .... 1) That's my childs school, and 2) Some fucktard in a BMW took my fender off, and the insurance company asked for photos of the parking lot where it happened!

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OMG! That is hilarious. I really needed a good laugh today!

 

[throttle]

Such a bummer, sorry @Amy@Team RDP

I would recommend reaching out to the director at the school for a better and safer plan. And follow up to be sure something gets corrected.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

So I looked up the parking lot on google Earth and the School MAJORLY fucked up on that drop-off routing. The way you come into the parking lot puts the school on the driver's side. Yet almost all kids enter and exit the vehicles on the passenger side. This is a BAD idea. I have a feeling this is not the first, nor last time something like this will happen in that parking lot, and I have a feeling that a kid will get hurt.

Edit: I made the post before seeing Amy's picture and information above. Still stand by my statement of a REALLY bad routing

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Totally agree. When I talked to the office they confirmed that this is not the first accident they have had. I know it won't be the last. I do plan making my opinion known at school that they need to update their parking lot protocol before someone does get hurt.

 

[Todd Mohr]

That is the dumbest drop off plan possible, passing on the right when kids are exiting on that side. Then the kid has to cross into the drop off line. Brilliant planning.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Poor plan IMO! This route on map is set up for failure!

Students / occupants are typically dropped "curbside" for the main reason of safety as they exit to a curb not stepping out of a vehicle and into a traffic lane of potential hazards (more importantly children that may simply not understand the dangers of stepping out into moving traffic).

Exactly. She was completely unaware and frankly I was caught by surprise when I saw the truck passing so close as I was trying to tell her to stop opening her door. It just makes no sense that you would pass on the passenger of a student drop off zone.

 

[throttle]

Exactly. She was completely unaware and frankly I was caught by surprise when I saw the truck passing so close as I was trying to tell her to stop opening her door. It just makes no sense that you would pass on the passenger of a student drop off zone.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Totally agree. When I talked to the office they confirmed that this is not the first accident they have had. I know it won't be the last. I do plan making my opinion known at school that they need to update their parking lot protocol before someone does get hurt.

In the meantime, I would suggest driving in the middle of that parking lot so nobody can get down the right side, and telling your daughter to ALWAYS cross in FRONT of your Suburban. That way you and your car are protecting her from inpatient and inattentive drivers.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

There is that too, the F150 should have been expecting that door to open and allow enough room for loading and unloading if that is the specific purpose of the area.

"Funny" thing is when I told him I thought he should not be passing on the right he told me he was watching for car doors. Huh. Yeah that worked.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Such a bummer, sorry @Amy@Team RDP

I would recommend reaching out to the director at the school for a better and safer plan. And follow up to be sure something gets corrected.

I will. I consider us lucky - it's only money. But sometimes things happen so action is set in motion. Looks like I am the "chosen" mom to initiate some change. Our family just started at school there this year, so we might as well start making our mark. LOL!

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

In the meantime, I would suggest driving in the middle of that parking lot so nobody can get down the right side, and telling your daughter to ALWAYS cross in FRONT of your Suburban. That way you and your car are protecting her from inpatient and inattentive drivers.

Actually, I am going to take the other route to the cul de sac area. The kids have to walk further to class, but that set up does not allow or promote passing on the right as they will be dropped off at the curb on the right.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Actually, I am going to take the other route to the cul de sac area. The kids have to walk further to class, but that set up does not allow or promote passing on the right as they will be dropped off at the curb on the right.

Even better. Maybe they should just close the parking lot to drop off all together?

 

[DLC]

So I looked up the parking lot on google Earth and the School MAJORLY fucked up on that drop-off routing. The way you come into the parking lot puts the school on the driver's side. Yet almost all kids enter and exit the vehicles on the passenger side. This is a BAD idea. I have a feeling this is not the first, nor last time something like this will happen in that parking lot, and I have a feeling that a kid will get hurt.

Edit: I made the post before seeing Amy's picture and information above. Still stand by my statement of a REALLY bad routing

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In my mind I was picturing it the other way where the school would be on the passenger side also

Not the driver side…

That’s methed up !

 

[bilz]

In the picture, which lot did it happen in?

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Even better. Maybe they should just close the parking lot to drop off all together?

The whole thing is such a cluster and being right across from the high school where they do not have buses either really complicates the drop off traffic.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

In the picture, which lot did it happen in?

The paved lot.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Most anything to do with vehicle repair in LHC I start with Robinson’s Automotive. Darrel, the owner, is a long standing inmate here. (Maybe ‘the shadow’?). Robinson’s are knowledgeable and fair. Plus they’re not afraid to say, we don’t know but let’s find out. If they don’t do it, they’ll send you to some who does.

We often pass by the Calvary School parking lot at pick up & drop off time. That lot isn’t large, but they seem to handle a whole bunch of cars. Occasionally see RD among the parents.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

the difference in stated law is that you are on private property (not a public street or highway).

Figures. Still does not make sense in my mind to pass on the right regardless in a school unloading zone.

 

[BabyRay]

As others have said, that is a very stupid drop off plan. At my grandson’s school, cars pull into one of four lines (to get cars off of the street quickly), then a parking monitor releases one line at a time to drop off or pick up their kid, and the kids must exit/enter the passenger side only to avoid walking in front of cars (they have multiple teachers monitoring the process to make sure the kids comply). Once the child is in the car, it is possible to exit the line. Yes, it requires patience, but no cars are being damaged and no kids are getting hauled away in ambulances.

I’ll offer no advice on how to handle the repairs, as I think you’ve already made up your mind.

 

[HTTP404]

It would be cool if they had large van like vehicles that could pickup and drop-off kids from the various neighborhoods for school. The kids could assemble at spots in their neighborhoods to make the process more efficient. They could even paint these vehicles with a bright color for safety.

Someone should set that shit up.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

The school needs to flip the traffic flow in the parking lot, so the passengers are on the building side instead of the street side. That way a car can drop off the kids then move to the left of the line and drive out of the lot.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

As others have said, that is a very stupid drop off plan. At my grandson’s school, cars pull into one of four lines (to get cars off of the street quickly), then a parking monitor releases one line at a time to drop off or pick up their kid, and the kids must exit/enter the passenger side only to avoid walking in front of cars (they have multiple teachers monitoring the process to make sure the kids comply). Once the child is in the car, it is possible to exit the line. Yes, it requires patience, but no cars are being damaged and no kids are getting hauled away in ambulances.

I’ll offer no advice on how to handle the repairs, as I think you’ve already made up your mind.

I have no problem waiting patiently if it means the kids are safe. Too bad not everyone feels that way...

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

It would be cool if they had large van like vehicles that could pickup and drop-off kids from the various neighborhoods for school. The kids could assemble at spots in their neighborhoods to make the process more efficient. They could even paint these vehicles with a bright color for safety.

Someone should set that shit up.

It is my understanding the reason why we only have bus service to one Jr High School out of all the schools in Havasu is due to lack of drivers. No one wants to be a school bus driver.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

The school needs to flip the traffic flow in the parking lot, so the passengers are on the building side instead of the street side. That way a car can drop off the kids then move to the left of the line and drive out of the lot.

That would solve the issue but I think that cul de sac and dirt parking lot is why they are wanting all the in flow at that intersection and no out flow. I have sent off my first email request to have them update their paved lot drop off protocol. I'll keep you posted on any response.

 

[bilz]

Make sure you have your vehicle looked at.
Looks deceive, qualified trustworthy person often sees things others don't.
Those F150 beds are aluminum and are sometimes difficult to repair. The less masking around things, the better the end result.

 

[Amy@Team RDP]

Conclusion: Just finished up with the not-so-fun F150 driver, and handed over a hefty $1,000 for paintless dent removal. My kids now have a valuable lesson in door safety—always look before you leap! As for me, I’ve learned to steer clear of that drop-off area at Telesis, a.k.a. “the lane of doom.”

I tried to voice my concerns about that extra passing lane on the right, where it seems traffic flows like a game of Frogger with no staff to direct it. But alas, my words fell on deaf ears, like trying to explain life before internet to my kids. They have their way of doing things, and now I have a “alternative” drop-off area. Next time, I’ll just hand my kids a map and a compass. Adventure awaits find your way!

***If you ever need any paintless dent removal in Havasu I highly recommend Elite Dent Removal. Their work was top notch and super nice people to deal with.***

 

[FreeBird236]

Conclusion: Just finished up with the not-so-fun F150 driver, and handed over a hefty $1,000 for paintless dent removal. My kids now have a valuable lesson in door safety—always look before you leap! As for me, I’ve learned to steer clear of that drop-off area at Telesis, a.k.a. “the lane of doom.”

I tried to voice my concerns about that extra passing lane on the right, where it seems traffic flows like a game of Frogger with no staff to direct it. But alas, my words fell on deaf ears, like trying to explain life before internet to my kids. They have their way of doing things, and now I have a “alternative” drop-off area. Next time, I’ll just hand my kids a map and a compass. Adventure awaits find your way!

***If you ever need any paintless dent removal in Havasu I highly recommend Elite Dent Removal. Their work was top notch and super nice people to deal with.***

Sorry for your ordeal, glad it was able to be handled by Elite, they are great.