MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) – A statement was sent out yesterday from Daphne High School Principal John Comer informing parents, staff and students that the school entrance on County Road 13 will remain closed.

The entrance is in front of Trojan Hall and the band building.

According to DHS, the reason for this is the high volume of traffic and the number of inexperienced drivers in the area.

Dana Davis, who has two students at DHS, told me that the entrance has always been a problem.

“They’re both band members, so we had permission to drop off and pick up kids at that entrance,” Davis said. “In the afternoons, you’d see young drivers trying to exit the property in the same spot where other people were stopping. You’d see parents parking in the grass, blocking the view of young drivers trying to cross Highway 13 to go home. I’ve seen kids almost get hit head-on while driving because they couldn’t see around a parent parked in the grass.”

According to Comer, the designated parent drop-off and pick-up area is in front of the new wing on Champion Way because he said it is designed to handle traffic flow.

If anyone is observed driving over the grass or drainage area along CR-13 to avoid the closure, it will be reported to the Daphne Police Department.

Davis said patience is key, especially when it comes to student safety.

“But now they’ve closed off that area, and while that may seem inconvenient, it’s honestly probably for the best,” she said. “For the safety of all those kids and parents. I just hope the city and the school can work together to provide more safety for the students, staff and parents who drive to campus.”

Copyright 2024 WALA. All rights reserved.