KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasTask Forces Focuses on School Zones
Making school zones safer for valley children is the goal of the new Clark County School Traffic Safety Task Force.
There are more than 300 schools in the valley and more than 300,000 students. The new task force wants to make it safer for children as they go to and from schools.
The most dangerous times of the day are those 15 minutes before and after the bell rings when hundreds of kids and cars are navigating streets around the school.
Illegal U-turns, parking in red zones, double parking and speeding are daily lessons students shouldn't be subjected to.
It's also the reason concerned parents, school district and government officials, law enforcement officers and lawmakers have gathered for the second meeting of the new Clark County School Traffic Safety Task Force.
"We really need to make sure how these kids are getting to and from school is safe," said Gina Greisen, parent organizer.
Gina Greisen who is the parent of a Tomiyasu student is the driving force behind the formation of the task force which on Wednesday discussed some of its priorities.
They want to make it possible for school police to write tickets around schools because right now they can't and Metro's resources are taxed which limits police visibility.
The group's other goals include an inspection or audit of all existing school zones to make sure they are properly marked.
Parent Jill Beesley is one of the more than two dozen task force members who says she is committed to the cause. She nearly lost her son to a speeding driver. The eight-year-old was struck while crossing at the corner in front of his own school.
"He's traumatized. He can't cross the street without me now," Beesley said. The task force wants to emphasize that no matter how hard they work, nothing will improve if drivers don't change their mindset.
Parents are often the worst offenders in the school zones. Task force members say drivers need to slow down, pay attention and re-evaluate their driving behavior -- before it's too late and another child dies.
Click here if you would like to submit a comment to the task force.
