Addressing Gonzales school safe routes amid back to school concerns

GONZALES, Calif. (KION-TV) — As schools are welcoming back students, parents have renewed concerns about safety.

It's a top concern, with many worried about people driving in and out of school zones.

The school year is officially underway at Gonzales High.

But problems for students getting to school remain, according to some parents.

The fifth street bridge is one area of concern for parents whose kids have to walk, specifically fifth and Rincon.

"It's really dangerous, especially, you know, to have that amount of traffic and then, to have all those kids walking and then some kids, really like to goof around and they push each other around," Rosa Rodriguez a former volunteer at the school district said.

Rosa Rodriguez says there's no crossing guards available to patrol the bridge.

She hopes a program called Safe Routes to School can bring some new safety measures for pedestrians.

I was able to speak to safe routes to school program who shared additional tips as more students head back to school.

"Walk or bike with a friend, groups of people are easier to see than just one person on the road," Ariana Green who oversee a Countywide Safe Routes to school program in Monterey County said. "If you travel with your friends, then, you'll be safer walking and biking to and from school."

We reported back in 2010 in Gonzales there was a hit and run on first street. Parents, still remembering this incident, are urging drivers to slow down.

"Set them on a routine so that they wake up a little bit earlier, because everybody's rushing to get a school, everybody's rushing to go to work, everybody's rushing to get somewhere," Rosa said.

Officials want to remind people as back to school begins it’s important to slow down. The slower, the better.

We reached out to the Gonzales School District for a statement about the issues surrounding their schools and have not heard back.