Traffic Safety A Concern In Southgate School Zones

SOUTHGATE (WWJ) - Traffic safety around Southgate schools is getting more attention after a sixth grader was struck and injured by a car this week near an elementary school.

The district cut busing for K-through-7 students and traffic has increased in school zones, especially when school is out in the afternoon.

Some parents of Southgate school kids are concerned the lack of busing is creating big traffic problems in school zones.

But parents like Robin Neely say Moms and Dads need to do a better job of minding traffic rules around schools.

"I just think the parents need to watch what they're doing, honestly ... not park where they say not to park," Neely told WWJ's Ron Dewey. "I think that's the best thing they can do really ... Us parents ans stuff are starting to watch now, so I think that it will be a lot better now than what it was."

Superintendent Nancy Nagle agreed parents need to do their part and use designated routes for picking up children.

"We work with Southgate Police Department  to make safest routes possible from dropping off kids and picking up kids and made some adjustments in the meantime ... that's the best we can do," said Nagle. "But we need parents to listen to what we are doing and to help volunteer," she said.

Officials said the child injured in Wednesday's crash darted out into traffic outside a crosswalk. The driver was not ticketed.