HEDWIG VILLAGE - As students return to classrooms in Spring Branch ISD, district police are asking parents to give themselves extra time and avoid what the department’s chief calls “parking lot rage” during school drop-off and pickup.
Spring Branch ISD Police Chief Larry Baimbridge said the first few days of school can be particularly challenging as students, parents and drivers adjust to new schedules and traffic patterns.
“Early in the year, everyone’s schedule is being disrupted,” Baimbridge said. “Maybe it’s the first time at the school, students don’t know where to go, parents aren’t quite sure, and so we want to make sure people take time, get ready extra early.”
The district said its police department works with campus and district teams throughout the summer to prepare for students’ return, including reviewing campus security, arrival and dismissal procedures and traffic flow.
Baimbridge said school parking lots are configured to move as many vehicles as possible, even if the process can appear hectic during the morning and afternoon rush.
The key, he said, is for drivers to follow the established traffic pattern and directions from officers and school staff instead of trying to find a faster way out.
Police warn against ‘parking lot rage’
One problem can occur immediately after a parent drops off a child.
Baimbridge said some drivers see their child safely exit the vehicle and then try to pull around the cars ahead of them rather than waiting for the line to move.
“What we’ll have sometime is, ‘Well, my child’s out, so I’m going to cut around,’ and that’s where we have a lot of issues,” Baimbridge said. “I call it parking lot rage. Just take your time.”
Although serious problems are not common, Baimbridge said impatience can create potentially dangerous situations, particularly with children walking between vehicles.
“Kids are unpredictable,” he said. “They may run out.”
A student who gets out on one side of a vehicle, for example, could suddenly move back toward the car to hug a parent or retrieve something.
Baimbridge urged drivers to wait until they are directed to leave rather than attempting to maneuver around traffic.
Leave early and expect more traffic
The increased congestion won’t be limited to school parking lots.
With students returning to class, families should also expect more vehicles on Houston-area roads and additional traffic around school zones.
Spring Branch ISD is encouraging families to budget extra time, particularly during the first few days as everyone settles into a routine.
Drivers should also stay off their phones while moving through school zones and parking lots, watch carefully for students, buses and crossing guards, and avoid blocking intersections, crosswalks and neighboring driveways.
Police are also reminding drivers to watch their speed and obey reduced speed limits in school zones.
Baimbridge said having officers on campuses helps manage traffic and prevents many problems, but drivers also have a role in keeping arrival and dismissal safe.
His advice for families is simple: Get ready earlier, leave earlier and expect the process to take a little longer.
A few extra minutes and a little patience, he said, can help ensure everyone reaches school safely.