Child struck by vehicle

[JKTex]

No new taxes either. Can I get an amen?

[vegimo]

For what it is worth, I am also really glad that it was not worse. Is that a statement worthy of derision?

[sandy brake]

Ummm no. The comment was directed to jktex. We tend to banter.

No new taxes nicely sums up his opinions as in they tend to be BS

[admin]

I caution ppl who expect an instant solution to this traffic issue that it will likely be at least the May meeting before the FWSD can make any decisions on what, if anything, additional can be done. The issue was not on our Agenda as of last check, and we have to post the Agenda at least 72 hours in advance.

[love Lantana]

there is always little to no attendance by the public at the FWSD meetings, now everyone is up in arms. Many of us were trying to get people to care BEFORE someone got hurt.

[admin]

there is always little to no attendance by the public at the FWSD meetings, now everyone is up in arms. Many of us were trying to get people to care BEFORE someone got hurt.

And I hope our residents know that the FWSD boards have already gone over and beyond to try to make that intersection safer. The school zone was placed there (over a half mile away from Blanton) just to help kids cross Lantana Trail safely. We have spent $23,160 of taxpayers money so far at that crossing.

[Uther]

I'm waiting for the "money well spent" claim...

[JKTex]

Maybe this will help. This is probably where liability comes in because the person acting as a crossing guard is not compliant with this, therefore open to the wolves. This is Texas Transportation Code Title 7.

Sec. 600.004. TRAINING OF SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD. (a) A local authority may authorize a school crossing guard to direct traffic in a school crossing zone if the guard successfully completes a training program in traffic direction as defined by the basic peace officer course curriculum established by the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education.
(b) A school crossing guard trained under this section:
(1) is not a peace officer; and
(2) may not carry a weapon while directing traffic in a school crossing zone.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 724, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 30, 1999.

Traffic Section of the TCLEOSE curriculum, 9.3 starting on page 21 is "traffic direction".

http://www.tcleose.state.tx.us/Document ... raffic.doc

It sounds like FWSD could authorize crossing guards, or, DCSD, but having the budget is a whole other issue. But since parents used to do it, I wonder if it could be done as a volunteer effort, authorized by FWSD. If there were only 6 volunteers trained, that should be plenty to keep a schedule staffed. Maybe local PD's would assist in getting volunteers the required training and even share best practice/help get the effort off the ground in the right direction. I assume (bad idea) local authorities, compliant with the law, would be immune from liability, hence taking that off of the volunteers.

In the meantime, if I was sending my kid across that intersection every day, I'd do whatever I felt I needed to, to make sure she was safe. Just say'n.....

There's a start. Now go, talk amongst yourselves...

[admin]

WFAA Channel 8 is out in Lantana today working on a story about this issue.

[admin]

WFAA Channel 8 is out in Lantana today working on a story about this issue.

Accident sparks closer look at crossing in unincorporated Lantana

[slider701]

Why is it Denton Co. Sheriff can set up every weekend for hours at two different churches on 407, and now in front of a private business (Lisa's Flowers) to direct traffic, but we cannot get them for 2 hrs a day to help kids cross the road in Lantana??

I'm sure someone will chime in that the church pays for it (I'd like to know how much) but I guarantee that Lisa's Flowers is not paying for it. Since they already have had accidents there I'm willing to bet they set up to prevent soccer-mom-mini-van-crashes but we cannot get them in Lantana??

And I hope that they give the teenager the hit the girl a ticket.................and maybe the judge can make him do community service as a crossing guard for the rest of the year twice a day.

[admin]

I caution ppl who expect an instant solution to this traffic issue that it will likely be at least the May meeting before the FWSD can make any decisions on what, if anything, additional can be done. The issue was not on our Agenda as of last check, and we have to post the Agenda at least 72 hours in advance.

The crosswalk was not on our Agenda since the incident occurred less than 72 hours before the meeting, but Blanton Principal Satterwhite and a couple of parents spoke about it and we are going to place this item on our Agenda for May and hold a special joint district meeting at that time.

[Common Sense Al]

Just curious, what about a traffic light with crosswalk button to turn the light red when people need to cross?

[admin]

The FWSD boards have already gone over and beyond to try to make that intersection safer. The school zone was placed there (over a half mile away from Blanton) just to help kids cross Lantana Trail safely. We have spent $23,160 of taxpayers money so far at that crossing.

(Also installed a pedestrian-activated crosswalk sign and marked crosswalk on pavement)


As a resident, do you think the answer to this issue is:

More traffic controls (i.e. stop signs)
-or-
More enforcement (Sheriff Deputy on regular basis)

[admin]

Just curious, what about a traffic light with crosswalk button to turn the light red when people need to cross?

Super expensive and have to do a traffic study to warrant traffic signal (which I doubt would be warranted due to lack of traffic the other 21 hours per day).