The tragic death of a 12-year-old boy who was hit and killed Monday morning while biking to school leaves parents and members of the community filled with grief and wanting to prevent this tragedy from happening again. Several leaders of the community offer condolences and advice for drivers.
“In a society of distracted drivers the area around schools can be one of the most dangerous places on the road,” says Diane Gibson Gray, Antioch School Board Trustee. Gray also states that she “prays that everyone sees the responsibility to drive safely, especially in areas with children.”
State Assemblyman Jim Frazier has worked hard to improve safety in school zones locally while he was an Oakley City Councilman. He helped ensure students at Orchard Park School on Live Oak had a sidewalk t get to and from school and has been a big advocate for the Safe Routes to School program. He vows to continue improving safety in school zones.
“I am devastated for the family and my heart goes out to the entire community of Byron,” said Assemblyman Frazier. “I will be working with the Sheriff, the Contra Costa Transportation Agency, and the School District to implement safety measures surrounding this school.”
Lt. Tammany Brooks, Antioch Police Department, offers the following advice for drivers, “Be patient and courteous. Expect the unexpected and pay attention to what’s around you. Don’t be distracted and yield the right of way to pedestrians.”
Brooks also encourages parents to use this as reminder to discuss the dangers of crossing the street with their children and remind them to look both ways and use caution when crossing the street.
Dana Eaton, Brentwood Union School District Superintendent states, “It is difficult to imagine a more tragic situation. Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Byron. We had three school psychologists and three school counselors that provided support today and we will continue to offer them any support they need.”
The BUSD has had issues with student’s safety near their schools in the past. Angela O’Malley, whose son was hit by a driver (substitute teacher) leaving Bristow Middle School last year states, “It makes me realize how lucky I was.”
Her son was airlifted to a hospital and has undergone numerous surgeries and physical therapy. According to sources, another Bristow student was struck by a vehicle last May.
It has also been brought forth that on Wednesdays at the intersection of Balfour and West Country Club Drive, there is no crossing guard to provide safety for Adams Middle School students who have to cross Balfour Road, which at that intersection is notorious for red light runners and drivers of excessive speed.
“I did not know until you shared that,” stated Dana Eaten, BUSD Superintendent. “Apparently that crossing guard is contracted by Liberty and the one at the top of the hill is contracted by BUSD. We are asking the company about adding two hours to the Liberty guard so that they could cover on Wednesday early release.”
Gene Clare, Brentwood City Council member states, “My sympathies, heart, and prayers go out to the families of both the victim and the driver. A big thanks go out to all of the school’s staff and staff from other school districts for their help with this tragic situation.”
The National Safe Routes to School Program offers the following advice for drivers:
- Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits, both in school zones and in neighborhoods surrounding the school.
- Comply with local school drop-off and pick-up procedures for the safety of all children accessing the school.
- Avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks to let children out of the car. Double parking will block visibility for other children and other motorists. Visibility is further reduced during the rain and fog seasons when condensation forms on car windows.
- Avoid loading or unloading children at locations across the street from the school. This forces youngsters to unnecessarily cross busy streets—often mid-block rather than at a crosswalk.
- Prepare to stop for a school bus when overhead yellow lights are flashing. Drive with caution when you see yellow hazard warning lights are flashing on a moving or stopped bus.
- Stop for a school bus with its red overhead lights flashing, regardless of the direction from which the driver is approaching. Drivers must not proceed until the school bus resumes motion and the red lights stop flashing, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed.
- Watch for children walking or bicycling (both on the road and the sidewalk) in areas near a school.
- Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
- Watch for children walking or biking to school when backing up (out of a driveway or leaving a garage).
By Amy Schrader
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Email: [email protected]
16 comments
Everyone feels horrible for both affected families but if we are going to talk about how to improve the safety aspects of our schools then we need a comprehensive and all inclusive discussion with out community leaders. The are specific details that need to be open for discussion rather than broad brush political talking points. It’s time for a discussion and bits just a shame that Burgess has to pay such a high price to get this finally going.
This is a great piece, but I fail to see the difference between a School Zone and Highway. Both are highly dangerous and paying attention to all surroundings should be priority one which would cause a lot less accidents. I understand accidents happen, but a lot of it can be fixed if people would simply not get distracted and follow road rules. This information should apply to all speed zones and areas people are driving.
Ban “school moms” driving SUV’s. They are the worst. Drive into any east county school and you will witness the mayhem and rude behavior. Most of ’em cannot even see over the dashboard and treat school zones like their own zones to behave badly. It’s freaking crazy I tell ya!!!
Enforce the rules that are already in place before even considering adding new ones.
Problem solved.
That is a very tough traffic situation. Before the new entrance to the school, there was much more traffic congestion in front of the school and in the general area where this occurred. Now with less congestion it may be a bit more dangerous because everyone anticipates fewer hazards.
The car leaving the school is naturally going to focused on oncoming traffic in the direction it is heading as it turns right onto the highway.
The bike, on the other hand, doesn’t have a bike lane on either side of the roadway and it is quite natural for it to be on the shoulder heading toward traffic.
It was a horrible accident, but I am afraid that calls for either the vehicle or the bike to act more cautiously will not be enough to avoid future similar accidents. And I am not going to assign blame to either party because I don’t truly know what happened and there is more than enough pain to go around without adding to it by pointing fingers or taking sides.
We should reduce the hazard. Not sure how, but what about a bike lane all along both sides on that stretch of Byron Highway and/or a light at the exit driveway?
Blessing to both families and schools community during this very difficult time.
Some accidents cannot be avoided. The exposure to them can.
From many stories I read, the boy lived in Discovery Bay. This would mean he rode his bike on Highway 4! That is hard to believe. As a parent, I would NEVER let my child ride his bike on Highway 4 where the speed limit is 55 mph or J-4 (Byron Highway) where there are no bike lanes.
I am also curious to the law on bike riding against the flow of traffic. Does anyone know what the rules of the road are?
There are many issues that need to be addressed before anyone goes on suggesting that a stop light be placed on a much traveled highway at a school driveway exit. Let’s get the facts first!
Is this the appropriate time to be standing in judgement of parents when I suspect they are analyzing every choice they ever made with that child? We can analyze the hell out of it but in the end sometimes really terrible things happen to good people by good people- by mistake. We are all imperfect and at times will make mistakes that could have dire consequences but for the grace of God.
I think we live in a very harried world. We are all in a hurry and we all drive more offensively than defensively. I have personally observed several times a car pulling out of a street looking for the oncoming traffic and not observing pedestrians and/or bikes coming along. It happens all the time.
Please everyone practice kindness- in the way we talk to each other, in the way we drive and in the way we cope with a very sad event.
If you are asking me, My answer would be “yes”. This is a blog….it’s purpose is for opinion which parallels judgement. Please don’t mistake it for a church, a support group or a therapy session. More often than not the truth is not kind.
I was so glad when my kids graduated from school and I no longer had to deal with the drop off and/or pick up. People parking in the red zones, right next to signs that stated NO PARKING ANYTIME, in the center divide, double parking, stopping in the traffic lane so that their little princess/prince didn’t have to walk, failing to stop for the kids in the crosswalk, etc., It was insane! And NO POLICE!! Its not like the Oakley school all got out at the same time. Never could understand why there was no enforcement during release time, and based on my observations, there still is no enforcement
I couldn’t agree more Barbara!!!! We can’t stop all accidents but the bad habits of some parents picking up or dropping little Jimmy or Janie is incredulous. In this particular case it doesn’t sound like the driver was doing anything wrong, but some of those other parents need to go back to (traffic) school.
Both the driver and bike rider share in the responsibility according to California laws. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl37.htm
Each year in California, more than 100 people are killed and hundreds of thousands more are injured in bicycle collisions. Some bicycle related crashes are connected to the bicyclist’s behavior, while others are due to the motorist’s lack of attention.
•Bicycle riders on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, and are subject to the same rules and regulations. Refer to the California Driver Handbook to become familiar with these rules.
•Motorists must look carefully for bicyclists before turning left or right, merging into bicycle lanes, and opening doors next to moving traffic. Respect the right-of-way of bicyclists because they are entitled to share the road with you.
Four Basic Safety Tips
Here are four basic bicycling tips:
•Maintain control of your bicycle.
•Protect yourself–reduce the risk of head injury by always wearing a helmet.
•Be visible, alert, and communicate your intentions.
•Ride with traffic.
I would like to attend that meeting. As a parent and as a teacher who, while trying to assist children have been flipped out, cursed at and screamed at, to figure out how and when this issue is going to be taken care. I am more than happy to be part of the solution. It is just too dangerous
Katie,
You are a teacher? Whatttttt? I’m guessing that English and grammar are not your gig?
Sorry doll, but after reading your words I’m “escared” for your students.
Didn’t Joan Buchannan just pass a bill to streamline the firing of teachers? Maybe you are a “liddle escared”? OMG! Didn’t mean to “flipped out” but you my dear are just too dangerous.
Those that can’t………..teach.
Traffic has been a huge issue in front of this school for years.
The new driveway added off of Byers Road should not be a two-lane entrance only, it should be one lane in, one lane out. PERIOD. The two driveways on Byron Highway should be permanently closed, as well as the original loop on Byron Highway. Yes, people still use it, even though there are signs on the gate that state Do Not Enter, Not an Entrance. Parents picking up from evening sports practice, play practice, etc, use it, as well as the parishioners of Mariners Church on Sundays. I have also witnessed a teacher – on multiple school mornings – turning LEFT INTO THE EXIT DRIVEWAY and crossing the double line!!
I am ANGRY! Not at the woman driver, but that the death of this boy could have been PREVENTED if school, district and county officials would have addressed this previously, since there have been MULTIPLE injury accidents in front of Excelsior.
I am sickened. WHY did there have to be a fatality before something was done? An innocent boy lost his life, his parents lost their only child, and a woman who has children of her own, will be haunted with this for the rest of her life.
Resources need to be immediately available to start making changes before another child in our community is fatally injured.
Joanne–
Bad drivers make me angry too. BUT…….. what really makes me angry is that this little TWELVE year old boy was allowed to ride his bike on dangerous roads that are not meant for bicyclists. What part of that is even remotely ok????? Neither Highway 4 or Byron Highway J-4 are bike friendly-at all!!!! It is UNCONSCIONABLE that any parent would allow a 12 year old CHILD ride a bicycle down HIGHWAY 4 just inches from traffic whizzing by at 55-70 miles per hour.
This child’s death was preventable from the moment he was allowed to ride his bike on a highway! It never should have happened! Place responsibility where is needs to be. This had NOTHING to do with the school exits. This is NOT the school district’s fault. This is not the Cop’s fault. This is not the county official’s fault. This is not the road engineer’s fault. Would YOU let your TWELVE YEAR OLD CHILD ride a bike on Highway 4 and J-4 every day and expect a different outcome? Clear enough? Accidents happen-we don’t live in a perfect world.
Why don’t they double traffic fines in school zones like they do in all of the construction zones? Even triple the fines? People just drive too fast in them, especially in Antioch, since they no there is no traffic division right now. I know the cities could use the money.
Thanks Amy you point the right thing 🙂 Thanks for Sharing!
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