ABU DHABI // Dangerous driving, indiscriminate parking and a lack of walkways are putting children at risk during school drop-off and pick-up times on the outskirts of the capital, according to parents and bus drivers.
Each school day, roads at the residential community of Shabia 9 in Mussaffah are congested, with parents trying to drive their children to and from school.
Vehicles jostle for space with school buses on the two-lane roads in an area where several schools are located.
Private International English School, Ryan Private School, Sunrise English Private School, Al Najah Private School and Maplewood International School are in the area.
Mujeeb Rahman, a driver for the Sunrise English Private School, said long tailbacks and bumper-to-bumper traffic were common around 7am and 2.30pm.
“Some drivers speed up or suddenly apply their brakes near my bus,” he said. “Others overtake me while I stop to pick up or drop off students.”
Parents said they would like to see a greater police presence, safe walkways and additional parking near schools.
Pedestrians darting across the roads was another concern.
“Parents who walk their children to school from their apartments in Shabia 9 or 10 often cross the street from undesignated areas and are at risk of getting hit by a speeding car,” said Nidhi Jindal while picking up her daughter from Private International English School.
The roads, she said, were congested because parents disregarded road rules.
“Parents park anywhere near the school gate, with some allowing children to get out of their cars in the road by themselves,” said the mother of two. “They’re supposed to keep their children safe.”
Inconsiderate parents were also taking up several parking spaces, leaving others with no place to park.
“Look at this parent who had just parked between two lines, occupying two spaces,” said Mrs Jindal. “This school bus is parallel-parked on several spaces near the school gate. Where will other parents park?”
Giri Rama, who was picking up his child, said inconsiderate and unsafe parking was nothing new.
“It’s just easier for them to park anywhere.”
Vijayandra R S walked to the school to pick up his son. He was not too worried for the boy’s safety. “I try to protect him when we walk to and from school.”
Parents, he said, should be encouraged to drive safely and park more responsibly.
“It hardly takes two or three minutes for a child to get out of the car and accompany him or her to the school gate.”
rruiz@thenational.ae
