THE start of the new school term also means the beginning of headaches for motorists on the Jalan Kulim-Bukit Mertajam trunk road as traffic is slowed to a crawl by the inconsiderate parents.
The traffic crawl in front of SK Convent and SMK Convent in Bukit Mertajam can be avoided if school bus drivers and parents show more consideration for other motorists. Pic by Shahrin Osman
Traffic is at a snail's pace as parents pull over on the shoulder of the road to wait for their children attending SK Convent or SMK Convent.
To compound matters, school buses also stop at the side of the road.
This is despite the option of parking at the Seberang Prai National Anti-Drug Agency compound.
There is a pedestrian flyover linking the schools and the allocated space on the other side of the road, where parents and bus drivers can park their vehicles to wait for school to let out.
Apparently, that is much too inconvenient as no one has done so.
This often results in severe traffic crawls stretching to Jalan Usahaniaga, which links Bukit Mertajam town to Machang Bubuk and Kulim.
Streets checks revealed that the traffic was particularly heavy in the afternoons, when the school session ends for the day.
Parent Zulkifli Ahmad, 39, admits that the traffic crawls can be avoided if only parents and bus drivers would be more considerate.
He said the school authorities and parents should take proactive measures to improve the situation. The former should make the latter use the allocated parking space.
"I have voiced my frustrations to the local council as well as the the school authorities.
"Both parties acknowledged my complaints and claimed they would look into the matter.
"But I believe they were only making empty promises," said a visibly-frustrated Zulkifli.
A police spokesman said they had assessed the situation in the area and would be meeting local authorities soon the on issue.
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