I’ve ranted numerous times on the frustrating driving habits of Chathamites, especially their poor turning habits (Chatham Left, anyone?).
And I’ve detailed parking lot miscues, such as driving through vacant spots rather than using the marked lanes, even when lots are busy and visibility is limited (North Maple Mall).
But I need to discuss parking a little further, specifically in crowded lots where kids are dropped off and picked up.
I’m talking about places such as schools, dance studios, and other venues. These are places where scheduling can put a large number of parents, children and vehicles into a small area.
School staff see the crazy driving habits on display by parents regularly. That’s why they structure the progression in their lots to get cars in and out as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Only too many parents are selfish to the point that they obviously believe the school lot guidelines don’t apply to them. Either that or they are oblivious to signage and pavement markings.
I’ve mentioned the drop-off point for students at Ursuline College. I often drop my teen there in the morning, and am constantly surprised to see how many parents ignore the “No Left Turn” sign posted at the exit. It’s intended to speed up the flow of traffic folks. If you have to head in the opposite direction for a bit and then hang a few rights to get back on course, so be it.
Except, as mentioned, some parents choose to ignore that sign and would rather wait for an opening on busy Grand Avenue to turn left, tying up others behind them needlessly.
And then there are the dance parents and grandparents, or sports parents, or club parents.
The situation, regardless of what pastime the kids are enjoying, is always similar: Crowded parking lot at certain times of the evening as parents are picking up and/or dropping off kids.
The simplest thing to do is for everyone to understand the dimensions of the parking lot, where the entrance/exit is (heck, you have to use it to come into the lot in the first place) and to keep that open.
Also, be aware that if you arrive and it’s busy/full, if you are back at the same time and day on a weekly basis, chances are it will always be busy/full.
Plan accordingly. Don’t try to force your way into the lot. Don’t park in the middle of the lot, even for a few minutes, as chances are you’ll block someone in.
Are your needs more important than theirs?
And don’t park in such a manner as to block the entrance.
These issues happen regularly where my daughter dances. I generally park on the street to avoid the hassle. But I also park along a section of sidewalk that some people seem to think is the entrance/exit (umm, there’s a full curb, people), so I periodically get dirty looks.
And then there are people who park on the wrong side of the road, all for their own convenience.
This happens all the time, for all sorts of reasons. Yard sales come to mind as another point where parking on the wrong side of the road seems OK to some people.
To me, parking is simple. Respect the rules of the road, the guidelines of the parking lot, and others around you.
Is that too much to ask?
