Class begins at Westerville South High School  at 7:25 a.m. During the fall,  it is still dark outside when students and staff begin arriving.  Students are crossing a very heavily trafficked road with dim lightning and long lines to drop students off.  Inevitably with students and staff running late, jaywalking occurs.

Westerville City has named October, Pedestrian Safety Month, and Westerville South is trying to make arrival and dismissal times safer for both students and staff.  

Parents and students have concerns regarding pedestrian safety during the arrival and dismissal  times at  Westerville South, which is situated on S. Otterbein Avenue.

One concern is the congestion with the back loop behind the school. Also, in the front loop, people are not moving in a timely manner, which causes the line of cars to back up here as well. 

Westerville South principal Mike Hinze is aware of  these concerns and offered the following solutions;  he suggested parents drop off in the front loop.  However, he said, if they need to drop off in the back loop at the commons,  then they should only do so starting at 7:25 a.m .  He explained this is after the last buses have dropped students off.

Hinze also suggested that students  be ready to leave the car when their ride pulls up to the drop off.  Of course, as he stated, getting here early before the crowd always helps to avoid the craziness of long lines or frenzied drivers running late.

Another concern is the speed of traveling cars. Senior Dominic Caldwell said, “I wish people would learn how to drive properly in a school zone. My life flashed before my eyes a couple of times. One morning it was clear, so I crossed; and out of nowhere, a car came flying.  They had to break really hard, or they would have hit me. This has happened a few times.”

Hinze said, “Use crosswalks; stay out of people and cars’ ways, and slow down.”

The 20 speed limit sign at the start of school is on, in all the locations.  Hinze said,  “You will be surprised, but this is a better year for the front and back situation.” 

South now has crosswalk signs going to the tennis courts and a yield sign in the street to help pedestrians. A helpful tip when crossing in the crosswalk is to make eye contact with the approaching driver before stepping off the curb. That way you know that they intend to stop for you. 

Scott Dorne, Superintendent of Operations knows about these safety concerns, such as it being dark and students and staff having to cross the street.  Dorne said that they have a plan to put lighting behind the WSHS stadium and at the tennis court lot. They already have a vendor and are hoping to have an estimate by the Nov. 22 board meeting for beginning approval.  Dorne said they will use the Dec. 13 board meeting if the proposal or agreement is not yet completed by the November date.  

Jennifer Alford, Traffic Engineer of Westerville said, “Pursuing lighting along the pedestrian walkways would be more of an effort and certainly would require some support from the school.”          

Dustin Few Science Teacher said, “ It’s definitely a safety concern, but no comment”.  

All the new safety measures are here  to help remind drivers and some jaywalking students and staff to watch out.  Senior Ben Moseley said, “ I rode my bike to school and I almost got hit by cars.  Please watch out for bikers.”  This is a good reminder because Hinze said  a student was hit on Otterbein Avenue in 2018, while walking across the street from the tennis court. Fortunately, he said the student was not seriously injured.           

Statistics from NHTSA website show,   “In 2019, 6,205 pedestrians died. In 2020, it’s an estimated 20% increase. Most of these accrue from Jaywalkers.”

Remember students, staff and parents that safety is not a you thing; rather, it involves everyone doing their part.