School Traffic Willow parking problem tackled

In their rush to drop school children off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon, drivers sometimes forget common courtesy and common sense. The results can be dangerous.

Such has been the case at Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills, but not for long. The city recently passed a resolution to modify the parking restrictions along Laro Drive in order to put the brakes on a potentially hazardous situation.

According to a city staff report, parents sometimes double park on Laro Drive forcing regular traffic into irregular patterns. Students are also dodging between the parked cars in an attempt to cross the street where parents are waiting to pick them up. It's a situation that could lead to an accident, officials say.

The Las Virgenes Unified School District and the Lost Hills Sheriff's Department investigated the problem and determined that the current "no parking" signage on Laro Drive is not serving its intended purpose. In reality, parents are not necessarily breaking the law when they wait for their children in their vehicles in a no parking zone. But the habit is causing concerns.

City staff members and a school law enforcement committee offered a solution to the problem by suggesting that the signage be changed to "no stopping any time" during school hours between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. The signs will be posted along the north side of Laro Drive, from Kanan Road to Rustling Oaks Drive to the Willow Elementary entrance.

The white curb along Rustling Oaks Drive will also be repainted to remind parents that the zone is meant for quickly loading or unloading children.

"The resolution is only as good as enforcement," said Councilmember Bill Koehler.

City Engineer Ken Berkman said the new parking regulations will be vigorously enforced.

"I'm concerned that parents won't change their parking habits," said Councilmember Dan Kuperberg. "Habits die hard," he said, adding that a ticket may not be enough of a deterrent, but ongoing parent education on safety issues might help.

Councilmember Harry Schwarz said Sumac Elementary School is experiencing the same problems, including parents parking their cars on the opposite side of the street and children crossing in the middle of the street between cars.

"I don't want somebody hurt-or worse-on our watch," Schwarz said.

Mayor Denis Weber said that he's witnessed cars driving on the wrong side of the street near schools. He said that in addition to the large SUVs, people talk on their cellphones while driving, adding to the chaos and danger.

"I think driving habits have gotten worse," Weber said. "Everybody is in a hurry."