Our Parking Lots Need to be Safe: They Aren’t
Sep 4, 2019
The traffic in Niles West parking lots is unsafe. On the morning of Tues. August 27, a student cyclist was hit as a driver exited the Oakton St. visitor lot. Less than 36 hours later, a driver turning left into the Oakton entrance hit a motorcyclist. Our question has now undoubtedly become, what do we need to change to make our parking lots safer?
While the reactions of students at West may be to talk about the accident, post a photo on Snapchat, or hope that everyone involved was not hurt, this does not solve anything. We need administration and the city to take clear action to protect us. Sometimes, from ourselves.
Although students haven’t been at the wheel in these accidents, students aren’t driving like angels either; in fact, it’s remarkable that accidents involving students in the parking lots aren’t reported more frequently. At 3:30 p.m., student drivers speed and swerve in the narrow “streets” in the parking lot, paying little attention to pedestrians and other cars.
During drop-off and pick up, parents block traffic and trap people in parking spots. Some parents stay parked in inconvenient places, preventing the flow of traffic until their kid comes out of the building. People have to drive around them, taking up all lanes of traffic and causing general chaos.
We can’t leave the parking lots unattended. Here are our suggested solutions:
1. Direct traffic
We can take after the store ABT. On weekends, since that store gets incredible business, police officers help direct traffic in and out of the parking lot. Police could assist with blocking the streets at the Oakton and Gross Point intersections, while increased security guard presence could help with traffic direction on school grounds, efficiently moving cars in and out of parking lots.
2. Create a new parking lot layout
Although it may be a mission, an expensive sum, and a multi-year endeavor, the benefits undoubtedly outnumber the drawbacks. A plan prioritizing pedestrian walkways over the vehicles’ ease of access might help traffic become more controlled. We could also convert some two-way areas to one-way areas, and designate one specific place for parent pick-up and drop-off.
3. Add crossing guards for pedestrians
Similar to the previous options, one simple, realistic solution is to add crossing guards at all parking lot entrances. There need to be people at the major intersections waiting for and directing kids across the street once school property ends at Oakton St. Crossing guards also have the ability to stop traffic, making the trip across the street much safer.
Students, parents, faculty, administrations, and the broader community have allowed broken traffic safety procedures to stay in place, resulting in two accidents in the first month of school. Who’s next? It has become crystal clear that changes need to be made in order to keep students and staff safe while entering and exiting school property.
Concerned Parent • Sep 15, 2019 at 12:46 PM
I’d like to see Niles West work with Morton Grove, Skokie, and Lincolnwood to educate cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers on the laws for pedestrians and cyclists on the roads and sidewalks. Not wearing helmets, riding on sidewalks, riding against the flow of traffic, riding 3 bikes abreast are actions I’ve witnessed from young and adult cyclists in the area. I’ve also seen motorists honk at cyclists who are following in the rules of the road. Let’s all hope this is approved: https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/niles/ct-nhs-cmap-bike-path-tl-0522-20190820-7oignyihwbaerfpxforg66jkpa-story.html
Ella • Sep 6, 2019 at 2:36 PM
It doesn’t need to be that complicated, but put in some dang speed bumps so kids don’t go 40 mph.
Eric M Poders, The NSV • Sep 4, 2019 at 1:39 PM
I was almost killed at Oakton and Marmora – brought it up for YEARS – so they repaved the parking lot and put a stoplight signal at Oakton and Menard. Still nothing done.
Did a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request with both Skokie and Morton Grove of ALL accidents over a long period of time.
Nothing was done – they all pointed to IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) and didn’t take responsibility.
Everyone – District 219 Board of Education, Niles West High School, Village of Skokie (S. Side of Oakton), Village of Morton Grove (N. Side of Oakton), Illinois Department of Transportation, possibly Cook County Government and maybe even the Army Corps of Engineers should get involved with this!
Something needs to be done from the overpass all the way down to Austin or even Lehigh!
Rochelle • Sep 4, 2019 at 10:54 AM
I’ve noticed that this is a huge problem. When I use to drop my kid off, I’ve noticed way too many accidents. Teens just driving too fast in the parking lot while people walking through the parking lot, parents not knowing what lanes to be in or using the wrong lane just to bypass traffic, making crazy U-turns in the middle of traffic, etc.
My opinion is that the first option you listed would help some of that. Teens are less likely to speed if uniformed officers are present. Directing traffic would definitely help parents understand the proper lanes to use, etc. I think just the use of a crossing guard doesn’t change too much of the speeding.