Sounding Board -- Carl E. Ossipoff

There’s been an alarming trend recently: Speeding motorists around and

in school zones. I find this extremely disturbing, but its root has to be

a function of simple awareness rather than abject callousness.

I can’t imagine that any self-respecting parent would willingly put

other children at risk because their little Johnny or Susie is late to

school. Yet day after day, parents drive too fast, most of them

distracted with cell phones as they barrel their way to drop off their

precious cargo.

They seem oblivious to the dozens of scooters, pedestrians,

skateboarders and other vehicles. Do they actually think that their time

is more valuable than others?

Of greater surprise was seeing two school buses speeding on a recent

morning near Eastbluff Elementary.

In some states, school zone speed limits are 15 mph. The zones are

strictly enforced and the fines are significant. These zones would be

particularly important around Newport Beach schools, simply because most

school locations allow for vehicle parking on both sides of the street.

This impaired visibility necessitates lower speeds. You would think

that motorists would intuitively recognize this. Yet they don’t.

Our lives are increasingly busy. More demands are made of parents

everyday and the pressure to deliver has never been greater. But don’t

assume that just because you have safely delivered your child to school,

the danger is over because another 10 inconsiderate or unaware drivers

are breathlessly delivering their children behind you.

If this plea makes a difference in your driving habits today and

tomorrow, terrific. Tell a friend and let’s make the Newport school zones

and residential neighborhoods safer places for all our kids.

*CARL E. OSSIPOFF is a Newport Beach resident.