Licensed and Liable

 As winter settles over Polson, students face not only the usual challenges of navigating icy roads and snow-covered streets but also the added responsibility of ensuring safety in school zones and the parking lot.  Locals suggest that action should be taken to address the rising issue of young reckless drivers, like ensuring more police activity in the school zone or restricting students’ privileges of off-campus lunch. 

Students’ driving has become a bigger issue in recent months, though Northwest Montana has suffered its driest winter since 1895 according to the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).

In November, Polson City Police Department contacted the high school principal, Andrew Fors, about an increase in “unsafe and reckless driving behaviors” involving high school students.  To combat this, the police department increased penalties involving speeding and reckless driving, issuing automatic citations instead of giving warnings as a first option. Fors also gave students the ultimatum: if the behavior continues, off-campus lunch privileges could be taken away.

The increase in driving issues started to stir up conversations on the Mission Valley Safety and Awareness page on Facebook. Locals in the group questioned the police department on why they haven’t increased police activity in the area and also presented the idea that closing off campus for lunch would be a beneficial procedure.  Many students have not taken kindly to the idea of an off-campus lunch ban and feel that this issue would not cure the problem.  Senior Vivian Lazaro said “I believe that not everyone should be punished for a select few students who disobey the laws.”

Not only has off-campus driving become an issue, but the high school parking lot has seen its share of close calls and oftentimes feels unsafe according to some of the student body.  In a survey conducted by The Salishian, students were asked to respond to a question that asked about safety in the parking lot, and senior Jacob Davis said, “The parking lot is a death trap with no paths, precautions and is poorly designed.  Combine this with teenagers driving  in the hundreds of cars trying to leave through one unorganized exit.”  Multiple students suggest that an exit to 19th Ave W on the south end of the parking lot would help with this obstacle. 

The community and the student body urges young drivers to take serious precaution when driving in the school zone or around the town of Polson. By  taking other vehicles and pedestrians into consideration when behind the wheel, you can ensure safety for yourself and others, particularly during winter months. You can also equip your vehicle with snow tires and an emergency kit, plan ahead, take a safer route, reduce your speed,  refrain from tailgating, and make sure to check your wipers, brakes, and lights.