Watch out for school children

With all of Carson Valley's schools open, we feel the need to remind motorists to watch out for school zones.

Two of the busiest highways in the Valley pass right by two of its largest schools, and it's a miracle more students haven't been injured going to school and returning home.

Cars are backed up for a mile on Highway 88 when Douglas High School opens in the morning. It was while crossing the highway on her way to school that Samantha Cavillo was struck and severely injured by an uninsured driver in March 2007.

Highway 395 passes right by Carson Valley Middle School, bringing buses and students walking to school within inches of vehicles not only trying to make their way through the Valley, but also dodging those of parents dropping off their children, and the big yellow buses that serve the school.

Students attending Pau-Wa-Lu Middle and Scarselli Elementary schools have Long Valley Road to contend with. Students in the north county have to walk along Jacks Valley Road or Stephanie Way.

It's not like there are fewer students or schools than in the past. We're lucky that we haven't had a student killed on their way to school in recent memory.