Mahwah Parents Say Kids Are Put In Serious Danger While Walking To School
MAHWAH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Some mothers from Bergen County, New Jersey said their town's streets are too dangerous for children not to be bused to school.
As CBS'2s Meg Baker reported, the parents said the route the children take on foot in Mahwah puts them at serious risk.
"When the snow piles up or the leaves are out, it piles up in the walking route, and the kids are forced to basically walk in the road," said Amy Haber, who has two children who walk to school. "I wouldn't even walk my dog here, to be honest with you. I'd be nervous we would get side-swiped."
Students who live outside the two-mile busing radius in Mahwah are often forced to walk to and from school. Fed up, Haber decided to document the walk herself – highlighting major safety concerns.
"On a good day, it's scary," Haber said. "You're walking over Route 17 on the overpass, and there's tractor-trailers literally inches from their bodies. There's no guardrail to protect them at all."
As working mothers, Haber – along with Kate Nuñez AND Linda Mavretish – cannot always pick their kids up after school.
"Only a portion of the kids are bused, so the majority of them would be forced to walk," Nuñez said. "This is the only way to get home."
"We had a crossing guard that was hit down the street from out house several years ago, so very concerning to me," added Mavretish.
Mahwah is a combination of hilly roads, highways and streets. Walking the path to school, CBS2 experienced crumbling sidewalks and narrow walking paths.
At the intersection of Route 202 and Brook Street, the sidewalk was not cleared of snow. Students would have to cross over 202 to get to a cleared sidewalk, but there is not a sign for drivers alerting them to the crosswalk.
Nuñez said pedestrians are really taking their lives into their own hands.
"We had to walk into the street with cars coming down a hill, probably going at least 35 miles per hour, and you know, children don't understand the speeds of cars and that type of danger -- especially in younger – and you're talking middle school students," Nuñez said.
The mayor said the township is equipped to clear the sidewalks and roads, but busing is another matter.
"It's about costs, and it's about what residents desire in their community," said Mahwah Mayor William C. Laforet. "Do you want sidewalks on your front lawn? Many people would say no."
But until the town's infrastructure is updated, Haber said something must be done.
"We're asking the board of education to provide us with busing for all Mawhah students," she said.
"My fear is that someone is going to get hurt," added Nuñez.
At the intersection of Route 202 and Brook Street, the sidewalk was not cleared of snow. Students would have to cross over 202 to get to a cleared sidewalk, but there is not a sign for drivers alerting them to the crosswalk.
Mahwah is considering a plan where parents could pay $250 per year for bus service within the two-mile school radius.
