Every year as Irvington’s student population expands, traffic issues also increase. Increased traffic in the morning and afternoons prompts parents and drivers, who are in a hurry, to commit traffic infractions. Traffic is most concentrated in the morning and afternoon, with the intersection of Grimmer and Blacow, Blacow and Greenpark, entrance to the horseshoe, and entrance to the parking lot being the most congested. Since a majority of students do not carpool, use public transport, bike, or walk, traffic is only intensified.

 In response to the increase in traffic, Ms. Guzman and Campus Supervisor Ms. Hartmangruber stand outside near the horseshoe every day in the morning and the afternoon trying to regulate traffic and prevent accidents from reckless driving.

“We try to educate parents and student drivers about the special laws around the school.” Ms. Hartmangruber said. “At the beginning of the year, we send out a loopmail which has the special rules around the Irvington campus around it.” Every year, new laws and rules are implemented, the school administration sends out an email regarding the various traffic regulations around the Irvington campus.

“We are doing everything in our power, but budget is a huge issue,” Assistant Principal Monica Guzman said. “When parents or students see us standing outside, they don’t drive as rashly as they normally would, if we weren’t there. [But] the problem is that we can’t be everywhere all the time. If we want to hire more people, it will cost us a lot of funds, which we don’t have.”  With the FUSD budget shortfall, Irvington will have to get creative in spending, and carefully weigh their options.

“Another major reason for the congestion here [at Irvington] is the lack of space,” said Ms. Guzman. “The school doesn’t have enough space for more parking space or a bigger parking lot.”

Irvington administration is working on getting students to carpool through incentives such as gas gift cards.

“The key to stop[ping] this congestion is to arrive earlier.” Ms. Hartmangruber said. “When people come in the last 15 minutes it’s really chaotic.” Although the speed limit is 45 mph on Grimmer, drivers can’t go faster than twenty-five miles per hour because it is a school zone.

With the student population increasing each year, the traffic proportionally increases, making it is essential for drivers and pedestrians alike to follow the traffic rules near the Irvington campus.