Dear editor,
In light of the recent incidents involving pedestrian teens (one hit and killed in a crosswalk and one killed and three injured in a motorcycle mishap while crossing a busy road near their high school), does our School District 71 have an obligation to ensure the safety of students to the best of their ability while the students are on their way to or from school?
The afternoon school bus from Lake Trail School travels along Marsden Road and turns left on Cumberland Road.
The first stop is Conrad Road, where the bus actually pulls into the mouth of Conrad Road at the south side of Cumberland Road to allow the children to debus.
There are no lights activated and no barrier is extended because this area is unsafe for the gigantic yellow school bus. The children are simply left at the intersection of Cumberland and Conrad (south).
If the children need to cross Cumberland Road, they are to wait until the bus leaves and attempt to cross this busy road themselves.
Keep in mind this section of road is on a double blind corner with a steep incline in both directions. Excessive speed here is normal.
Ian Heselgrave, director of operations of SD71, insists that this is a safe stop.
Is this a safe area to allow children to be left to cross the road?
Jo Hellenes,
Comox Valley