TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Heavy traffic isn't the biggest problem in school zones. Sometimes, it's when drivers are make terrible decisions.
WTXL asked parents on Facebook which school drop-off sites had the worst traffic, and you answered. Among the many responses we received was this one from Marissa Barry Miller saying simply "Chaires Elementary is bad."
To experience the this school zone first hand, WTXL went to Chaires.
Three miles south of 1-10 in eastern Leon county is Chaires Elementary School...a school only accessible by a two-lane road. Chaires Elementary parents say a number of near-accidents have occurred during heavy-traffic times.
"There's been too many times that I've been run off the road, friends of mine have been run off the road," says Kathryn Mesmith, a parent of a Chaires Elementary student. "I had a lady that stopped me in the road the other day and made me move over because she refused. She was in the wrong. She was in my lane."
The traffic in front of Chaires Elementary School is nonstop and backs up as parents drop off and pick up their children. However, the biggest problem stems from cars passing the solid double yellow lines.
"Nobody should be passing in a school zone, period," says Mesmith. It's a double yellow line. Nobody should be passing on a double yellow line. It backs up both directions. People try to pass. People almost go head-on with each other. It's chaos, is what it is."
As for Mesmith, she has an extra concern with this traffic. She's responsible for picking up two other children along with her own son.
"I worry about, you know, the responsibility that they're in my vehicle," explains Mesmith. "If something happens because some dummy decides to pass and puts those kids in jeopardy. That's on me."
Leon County Sheriff's Office recognizes that traffic around schools during the arrival and dismissal times cause delays, but say that patience is important.
"There is some traffic congestion when a lot of people are going to one venue at this one particular time," says Leon County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Grady Jordan. "So again, patience is key as well."
And parents agree. Either be patient and wait in line, or find a different road to travel.
Although afternoon traffic at Chaires Elementary school has been rerouted and only backs up in one direction, there are still many cars that insist on crossing the solid double yellow lines to pass the school traffic.
Mesmith has suggested that signs be put up telling people not to pass during drop-off and pick-up times.
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