Dangerous student bus stop location leads to a possible traffic re-assessment in Royal Oaks

ROYAL OAKS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- A north Monterey County community is asking the Pajaro Valley School District (PVUSD) to consider relocating a bus stop they believe is dangerous to student safety.

In a press release by Amigos de Medina Newsletter, PVUSD's District Three representative stressed this need, citing parents' concerns.

At the council meeting on Monday, the Bus Safety Route and Advocacy proposal outlined the bus stop's relocation at the corner of Las Lomas Market and Hall Rd. in the Royal Oaks community.

The press release detailed that the curve has posed a risk to young people and children crossing the road with blind spots.

“On April 9, I toured Willow Road with our new Transportation Director to assess one of the most dangerous student routes in our district. From the bottom of the hill near Las Lomas Market to the current stop at Hall Road, the conditions are alarming - no sidewalks, no crossing signs, no speed controls, and traffic coming in hot from the right turn at Hall," wrote the press release.

According to Medina and assessments with PVUSD, the solution would be a new bus stop on the safe stretch of Las Lomas Market. This would allow students to wait in a covered space near an existing Metro stop and would eliminate the danger of having to cross traffic where vehicles are speeding.

According to the press release, the owner of Las Lomas Market agrees to address this proposal. However, the response from Monterey County authorities to make these adjustments is still pending, according to Medina.

Added dangers loom around this stop because buses are exempt from flashing their red “Stop” lights when stops are along a state highway with speed limits of 55 MPH or higher, according to road safety guidance for school bus stops with PVUSD.

Just last week, a California Highway Patrol was involved in a major car accident on that same corner. The patrol car was overturned on its side.