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There are countless points of frustration among students, most notably freshmen and sophomores, surrounding morning traffic congestion at Bellevue High School. Traffic congestion is affecting students’ ability to arrive at class on time. With two drop-off locations spread around campus, primarily used by underclassmen who do not yet have driver’s licenses or personal vehicles, traffic often becomes backed up and unmanageable. Even students who arrive five minutes earlier than usual still find themselves stuck in long lines of cars, creating unnecessary stress and lateness.
Although these drop-off areas were created for convenience, the result has been confusion and congestion. Drivers are often seen idling, stopping unpredictably, or circling the school in search of the shortest line. This lack of organization slows traffic and creates safety concerns for students crossing these busy intersections.
A more effective solution would be a structured and unified drop-off system rather than scattered locations around the school. Bellevue High School should implement grade-based drop-off zones, with at least one clearly marked and designated area for student drivers accessing parking lots. This would reduce overlapping traffic patterns and limit congestion at major spots and entrances. Additionally, staggering arrival times could further help ease peak traffic. Underclassmen drop-offs could be encouraged to be earlier, as arriving only five minutes before the bell often does not provide enough time to reach class. Upperclassmen, who typically only need to park, could arrive closer to the starting time.
Clear signage, staff supervision, and strict rules, such as no idling or waiting, would further improve efficiency by keeping cars moving. Staff members or trained student volunteers could assist in maintaining traffic flow. Promoting and offering incentives for carpooling and walking when possible would also reduce the number of vehicles entering campus each morning.
