No crossing guard at Holy Family in Paradise worries parent

A parent in Paradise says people need to pay more attention in school zones, particularly at Holy Family School, where he says there's no crossing guard on duty.

Mike Rose says he witnessed a close call last week near the school on St. Thomas Line, when a daycare worker trying to cross the road at a crosswalk was almost hit by a vehicle.

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"There have been a few close calls, more so with the daycare staff because they're the ones that go out into the crosswalk first," he told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.

There are speed indicator signs posted on St. Thomas Line to notify drivers they're passing through a school zone, but Rose said the main traffic entrance to the school is actually on Ridgewood Drive — where there are no signs.

There are two crosswalks in the area: one on Ridgewood and another at the entrance of the parking lot to get into the school. But Rose said there are no crossing guards on duty.

"I've contacted the town, the school board, government officials. Nobody seems to want to take it on," he said.

"The town advised me that they would do it with the co-operation of the school board and the school board advised that they wouldn't take part in it, therefore the town won't take it on."

With large suburban developments surrounding the area and high traffic volumes, Rose said people need to be more aware of the school zone.

"Slow down, pay attention. You can see the traffic, you know there's kids walking back and forth to school. Just watch for them," said Rose.

"If you're approaching a crosswalk, slow down, have a look. It's going to cost about 30 seconds to stop there and let them cross the road. It's not going to make you late for work, and if it is, well, you need to leave earlier."

Town responds

The town issued a statement later Monday in response to the safety concerns expressed by parents of students at Holy Family School. 

The town said it has taken a number of corrective measures, including installing more signs to identify that the busy road runs through a school zone and that drivers should slow down. 

The town has also posted crosswalk signs "within the immediate area of the daycare" near the school, and said municipal enforcement and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers have increased their presence in the area.

The Town of Paradise said RNC officers will be there to ticket and warn motorists, but that their presence alone can reduce speeding.

The town said it's also in the process of installing pedestrian walk signs with flashing beacons "at the crosswalk from the daycare to the school parking lot."