Sunnyridge residents are livid with parents and scholar transport drivers contravening the city by-laws during drop-off and pick-up times.

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Gary Purcell of Sunnyridge called on the visibility of EMPD officers around the school in the mornings and afternoons.

GCN recently reported that parents and scholar transport drivers were urged to be cautious when dropping off and picking up children at the school.

This came after the school had two incidents of learners being injured.

Hazel Smith, school deputy principal, urged EMPD to intervene to help save lives.

Purcell has since told GCN that he was hit by a car in front of the school on May 17 while walking home with his daughter

“The driver of the car made a stop so that we can cross via the pedestrian crossing. I had been close to the complete crossing when the car bumped me,” said Purcell.

The incident occurred at about 07:38.

“Lucky for me I didn’t fall when the car bumped me otherwise it would have run me over. My back was sore,” said Purcell.

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He said he has been a resident of the area since 1996 and the community has continuously complained about the inconvenience caused by motorists dropping off and picking up learners.

“People park their cars in front of our gates. If you are inside your yard you can’t get out and vice versa. When you ask them to clear the way, they swear at you,” said Purcell.

“Women and old people are disrespected. Sometimes the situation gets physical,” he said.

“The EMPD and SAPS must be visible in this area. The drivers don’t take orders from the scholar patrollers and the school security but they will hopefully listen to the EMPD,” said Purcell.

“The Primrose SAPS refused to open a case for me when I went to report the incident. They said I must produce a medical report,” Purcell said.

“I’ve been involved with the community for over 20 years. We had petitions signed and delivered to the council. They put two-speed humps and still people drive like crazy around here,” said Purcell.

Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, EMPD spokesperson, said in a case of a collision and a learner is knocked over by a car, the school is required to notify ambulance services, EMPD and the parents.

“At times, other nearby law enforcers like the SAPS, the national or provincial traffic respond. The school can call 011 458 0911/10177 for an emergency,” said Thepa.