Streetwise: Safer Routes For Students

The “Streetwise: Walking & Biking In Natomas” series is examining whether efforts to create a healthy, walkable and bikeable community in Natomas have been successful.

Concerns about traffic safety top the list.

“He’s more likely to be hit by a car than abducted on his way to school in Natomas,” she said. “It’s frightening.”

Tavita said she’s seen firsthandhow drivers roll through uncontrolled intersections oblivious to bike and pedestrian traffic. And she’s well aware of the accidents near neighborhood schools in recent years.

STUDENT WAITS TO CROSS BANFIELD DRIVE

STOP MEANS STOP

Wilson said he rarely sees drivers stop at the intersection, even when school is in session.

“I would say 10 percent come to a complete stop, the other 80 percent are rolling through,” he said. “I’ve yelled out that‘Stop means stop,’ but they just ignore me.”

A block from Wilson’s house, in September 2010, an 80-year-old woman crossing the street was struck by a car and killed. An hour later, less than a mile away, a boy on a bike was the victim of a hit-and-run accident while on his way to school. Within the same week, a young girl collided with a vehicle as she crossed the street in front of Witter Ranch Elementary.

BANKS CHECKS CURB STRIPING

These three incidents spurred city Councilwoman Angelique Ashby to hire retired police officer John Banks in February to work part-time as a traffic and school safety coordinator for District One.

“One child injured is unacceptable,” Banks said.

Banks and a city traffic engineer inspected school sites throughout the Natomas Unified School District to identify changes needed to striping, signage, traffic flow and parking which would improve student safety. A report including these recommendations was presented bythe city to the school district in July.

“We are working with the city traffic department to prioritize, cost and schedule modifications to curbs, sidewalks and traffic markings on city property,” said Michael Cannon, the school district’s executive director for facilities and planning. “We are doing the same for the interiors of the campuses, which will be completed by the district.”

PARKING BY WITTER RANCH

The city finished some improvements at Witter Ranch Elementary School over the summer.

Parent Larry Richardson participated in the series of community meetings which led to the changes.

His 7-year-old daughter suffered a bad case of road rash as a result of last year’s accident – when she collided with a vehicle in September 2010 – and still has a scar to show for it.

Students who attend the Twin Rivers Unified School District’s three elementary schools situated adjacent to the Northgate Boulevard corridor are guided across one of the busiest roadways in Natomas by city crossing guards.

NORTHGATE CROSSING GUARD

“Northgate … has gotten out of control,” said Twin Rivers Police spokesman officer William Cho. “People use it as a thoroughfare from the north side to downtown because it’s the only direct route to Highway 160. Northgate has been a victim of growth and expansion.”

Gardenland Northgate Neighborhood Association president George Azar still remembers when he was a child and a friend of his brother was hit by a car and killed in front of Smythe, now a charter school, on Northgate. In December 2009, a preschooler walking to the school was killed by a hit-and-run driver near the same spot (memorial pictured above). To date, the driver has not been apprehended.

FADED SIGNS LACK INFO

“One common complaint was the parking lot, entries and exits used to drop off children at school,” the survey results read. “This presents the picture of a vicious circle; parents are concerned about letting their kids walk or bike because of the traffic concerns close to the schools, so they in turn drive and make the situation more hectic.”

… AND HERON SCHOOLS

“When fully completed, current plans are for the city, in consultation with the district, to schedule and complete construction of the improvements at Jefferson and Natomas Park elementary schools,” Cannon said. “The Bannon Creek improvements will be done by the district as a part of the infrastructure package for the Bannon Creek K-8 conversion project.”

WESTLAKE WALKERS

When a needs assessment showed students did not have helmets to wear, Gonzales joined forces with the school’s PTA group to coordinate helmet fittings and giveaways – more than 100 helmets in all – twice last year.

NATOMAS UNIFIED NO LONGER BUSES STUDENTS

Creating a cycling community for children to be healthy and stay alert when they are at school, is a perfect combination, said Garcia. He’s had up to 20 students and their parents participate on rides.