In order to help accommodate new student drivers and help improve student pedestrian safety this year, administration has changed the traffic pattern using feedback from students, teachers, and families.
“In my opinion, morning traffic is bearable, but it can be really frustrating sometimes,” said senior Emily Shanks. “There are a bunch of parents in a rush to get to work or someplace else, and they start cutting in front of other cars.”
According to the Salem official newsletter sent out to students and parents, “Our primary concern is safety based on the limited staff available for parking lot duty, high volume of traffic, and limitations set by our parking lot design.”
Principal Carey C. Manugo has been working on ways to alleviate the traffic congestion since his first day on campus.
“Traffic was also an issue at my previous schools, so my goal is always to ensure that all students, staff, and visitors are safe,” said Manugo. “I oversaw the rerouting of traffic at Independence and Larkspur middle school, respectively, and feel that my goals of improving traffic were met.”
Long story short, all parents dropping off a student must wait in line at the designated student drop-off area and leave through the exit nearest to the bus and staff parking lot. This year, only student drivers may enter and exit the tennis court parking lot, preventing the congestion of traffic near the front of the school.
“The line to the parent drop-off and pick-up area seems to be way longer, but traffic for students seems smoother [in the morning],” said senior Andray (J.C) Reyes.
Senior Giovanni Clemente agrees, saying traffic for parents dropping off is more chaotic following the revision, but the pattern does flow smoother for student drivers.
On one hand, students believe the revision has improved morning traffic. However, on the other hand, students believe it has made afternoon traffic worse.
“Morning traffic has gotten better, but afternoon traffic is horrific,” said Shanks. “Way too many cars and impatient parents trying to get out at once, and I personally think the revision made it harder to exit the parking lots.”
While the traffic revision seems to have made some much-needed improvements, some students still believe there are a few more kinks that need to be worked through.
“It’s bad,” said Clemente. “But there’s not much else that can change. For traffic to flow smoothly, the drivers themselves have to make changes, and it’s difficult for every single driver to get on the same program.”
Compromises are a two-way street. While administrators are taking steps to improve school and traffic safety, it is still highly important that all SunDevils continue to practice safe driving and remain alert at all times.
“We are always monitoring traffic and will make necessary changes based on the previously mentioned goals and parameters,” said Manugo.
