As we embark on a new year, we want to take this opportunity to once again address drop off lane procedures. We have become increasingly aware of what works, and what doesn’t, and we’d like to review a few tips to create a better flow of traffic.
The fire lane, as well as the curb lane south of the fire lane, is widely underutilized during morning drop off. This area, when the driver is NOT exiting the vehicle, is available when dropping your students off. Using this entire curb lane will allow more students to exit their vehicles at one time and create less congestion in the left lane and the entrances from Route 68.
Per procedure, find a spot as far forward as possible and merge into the right lane (curb lane). After your student exits your vehicle merge back into left lane traffic. Sometimes, it is easier (especially when south of the fire lane) to merge back into the left lane closer to the stop sign when traffic flow allows.
Often, parents are dropping their students off as far back as the playground and then merging back into the left lane when spaces are available farther forward. This is creating unnecessary congestion too early in the drop off process.
We would, again, like to emphasize that the goal is to find a spot as far forward as possible. Utilizing spots south of the fire lane will help eliminate delays and traffic jams so close to the entrances from Route 68 that have caused many issues in the past.
In closing, we would like to remind families that students should ALWAYS exit the passenger side of the vehicle in the curb lane only, and drivers are NEVER permitted to exit their vehicle in the drop off lane during drop off times. (Parking is permitted after drop off and during pick up).
Should your child need assistance exiting the vehicle, please use the visitor parking lot, and walk your child to the building via the cross walk. If you have questions or concerns please e-mail awygal@wlstigers.org.