Parents Complain School Bus Stop is Unsafe

EDMOND, OK -- Parents in the Deer Creek School District worry their kids' school bus stop is unsafe.

"We're trying to stop something from happening before it happens," said grandfather of three, Ed Koch.

School buses stop in the turn lane of Rockwell Ave. at Springer Run before and after school daily.

"it's 55 mph out here," said parent, Randy Hampton.

As kids file off the school bus, parents fear what's happening on the other side. "These cars zip through here," said Koch.

"A car trying to stop or not paying attention, they're texting and if they hit their brakes they're going to hurt, injure or kill one of these kids," said Hampton.

Some parents have even captured video on their cell phones of cars speeding past the buses as children are being unloaded.

"It happens almost every single day that's why we're out here as parents," said mother of two, Mary White.

The parents have voiced their concerns to the school board. "How many violations is it going to take to say hey we've got an issue, we need to turn the bus," said Hampton.

Parents want the district to move the bus stop back inside the neighborhood where it was last year.

"We're not asking for anything but one bus stop on this street," said Hampton.

Lenis DeRieux of the Deer Creek School District says the addition of a new bus route this year forced the bus stop to move down to Rockwell. She adds the new stop meets both State and Federal safety guidlines.

As for the parents request for change, DeRieux says turning the school  bus in a cul-de-sac creates a timing issue.

Hampton disagrees, "It takes less than 3 min to run that bus and pick up those kids."

DeRieux also cited a safety issue saying previous studies have shown more accidents happen when buses must turn around.

Parents, though, won't give up the fight.

"I need the school district to know this is a problem stop and it continues to be a problem stop," said White.

Since parents' complaints, DeRieux says the district has hired Oklahoma County Sheriff's Deputies to patrol the area during pick up and drop off times to combat the problem.
Parents Complain School Bus Stop is Unsafe

Posted: Wednesday, October 31 2012, 10:09 PM CDT