CHS parking lots need better surveillance (Editorial)

Car accidents and reckless driving within the school parking lots are creating a conflict at Carlisle High School.

Backing up into a parking spot instead of parking in can often times help avoid car accidents when leaving the school.

Although Carlisle High School administration tries its best to regulate school parking lots, there are some things out of the authorities’ control. Having reckless, distracted, and hurrying drivers is a conflicts only student drivers can solve.

Senior Dominique Scalia knows first hand the impact of reckless driving within the school parking lot, being a victim of distracted drivers herself.

“When I got hit, I was mad. I felt as though driving is a big responsibility and you should be paying attention so you don’t harm yourself or anyone else, but the damages weren’t too bad,” said Scalia. “It wasn’t until I got out of my car and spoke to the girl that I got even more infuriated at how she handled the situation and how careless she was. People need to be more mindful in these situations.”

Not only are people who drive while distracted an issue, but those talking to friends outside of their vehicle. Doing so for long periods of time while people are in the process of leaving the school could easily lead to serious and or fatal accidents. With small social gatherings and speedy drivers in the parking lot, there’s a lot at stake.

However, some students argue that the size of the school parking lots don’t help diminish the possibility of accidents.

“What makes getting out of the parking lot even harder,” said senior Lauren Peele, “is the fact that parents are trying to pick up their kids and park in places that make it even more difficult for students to try and leave, thus creating more clutter.”

Although Carlisle High School offers a variety of parking lots for student drivers, it may simply be not enough for the astounding amount of students with licenses.

Security officers and principals should continue to patrol the parking lots to make sure students are arriving and leaving the school premises safely in their vehicle. Security cameras could be installed to observe student behavior when security guards could not.

Arguably, such reckless behaviors won’t change until disciplinary action is pursued.

Scalia argued that “light” punishments such as detention simply aren’t enough. “Those who behave recklessly should be penalized for at least three days, either ISS or OSS, for unsafe behavior and potentially putting their lives and others in danger.”

If three days OSS can be received as a punishment for using vulgar language, shouldn’t the same punishment (or one more severe) be given for being a safety hazard to other students at Carlisle High School?

In the school parking lot, it is not hard to spot long black tire marks caused from reckless driving and tricks; however it is universally agreed that people’s lives and car accidents, no matter how big or small, are a serious matter. Hopefully in the near future, administration and the student body can do their best to encourage safe driving on, and off the school premises.

Disclaimer: Articles designated as “Editorial” represent the views and opinions of the author, not the 2015-2016 Periscope staff, CHS Administration, or the CHS student body.