The accident has police trying to crack down on safety at many schools.
Dodging traffic is part of the daily routine for students at Broughton High School. Drivers are supposed to slow down and give students the right of way at crosswalks. School-zone signs are posted everywhere as reminders. But students say too many drivers ignore them.
"I think it's ridiculous," student Caroline Griffin said. "They drive like they're crazy. It's not safe for people who cross the street at school."
Said Broughton student Katie Banner: "I think it's unsafe. Last year, somebody was hit."
Cary High School senior Kristina Grahn, 18, was hit by a car Monday morning as she crossed the street to campus. Police said a driver made an illegal right turn in the school zone before hitting the girl.
The authorities are still looking for the truck and driver.
Police said the Cary accident proves that people can not be too careful with cars and kids.
"We are always in fear of something like that happening," said Capt. D.S. Overman, of the Raleigh Police Department.
Overman said Raleigh police put a lot of manpower into keeping school zones safe. He said drivers need to slow down, read the signs -- or pay the price.
He said drivers need to remember that the penalties are tougher for speeding in a school zone.
"We want people to see us out here," Overman said, "to know that if they blatantly disregard the laws, there's a penalty for that."
Slowing down not only can save drivers some cash, but possibly a life, as well.
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
