ROANOKE (WSLS) Traffic issues in front of a Roanoke elementary school are causing police to address the problem.
Roanoke police will be at the school all week to give warnings and writing citations if needed to drivers who don't follow posted traffic signs and rules, according to an official with Roanoke City Schools.
Justin McLeod, the school district's community relations coordinator, said children are crossing the street without an adult, parents are also parking in the fire lane and doing U-turns in the middle of the road.
"There is a proper pick-up lane and unfortunately a lot of parents have not been using it. It's more about the convenience factor. They like to be able to drop their kids off in a very fast way, but the bottom line we need to make sure it's done in a safe manner," said McLeod.
Most of the traffic issues happen during the morning hours before 7:45 a.m. School leaders say they've done many things in the past including asking for parents cooperation to help with the issue and sending out robo calls and newsletters.
Below is the copy of the robocall sent to WSLS 10 Monday morning by Roanoke City Schools.
This is Eric Fisher, principal of Preston Park Elementary. I am calling to talk to you about the on-going traffic issues in front of the school each morning. Student safety is our top priority. The problem has become so severe we have been working with Roanoke Police to address these issues.
Next week, officers will be at the school giving warnings and writing citations to drivers who fail to follow posted traffic signs and rules. Please remember all car riders must be dropped off in the car rider lane or parents may park in a designated parking space and walk their child curbside. Students may NOT walk across the street without an adult. Parents cannot drop-off students in fire lanes, the bus loop, or in the middle of the road.
These procedures will ensure students get to school safely. We ask for your cooperation as we ALL work to solve this problem.