Teachers at Riverview Elementary forced to direct traffic to ensure student safety
By James Foster
Staff and parents of children at Riverview Elementary in Verdun are worried about the safety of students because drivers are failing to stop for school buses at an alarming rate.
Teachers told Global News they have been so concerned for students safety they've gone as far as walking out into the middle of the street in front of the school to direct traffic; otherwise cars would have continued on.
On top of failing to stop, staff said motorists are ignoring the speed limit, whizzing by at more than the 30 km/h maximum in a school zone.
Parents told Global they have been asking the borough to install a new stop sign at the corner of Riverview and Bannantyne, but because there is already a stop sign within 150 metres the request has been denied.
A petition is being circulated in hopes of having the borough change its mind.
Borough Mayor Jean-François Parenteau is aware of the problem, albeit at a different school.
On November 10, Parenteau posted on his Facebook page, "During lunch I witnessed an incredible scene in front of Lévis-Sauvé Elementary School... despite three school buses having their stop signs out, five cars passed by without stopping."