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Parents and community members are worried for the safety of students and drivers after three accidents have happened within the past month in front of North Surry High School.

According to a Surry County School spokesperson, there have been three accidents involving student drivers exiting the campus on NC 89 since the start of this school year.

“Your view is blocked. It doesn't matter if you're a parent or if you're a student, whenever you are trying to get in the parking lot, it's hard, but most definitely when you're trying to get out," North Surry alum Christina Horn said.

Horn said she remembers accidents happening in front of the school when she graduated back in 1998.

“You still have all these students that are stuck in the parking lot trying to get out, people trying to get in. It's just a hot mess," Horn said.

Former North Carolina State Trooper Vann Tate said he used to patrol that area. "Out of all the counties I worked, NC 89 is definitely the worst of traffic problems that I've seen," Tate said.

Tate has witnessed several crashes himself, and his own son was in one, so he knew he had to do something. Tate scheduled a meeting in 2014 with NCDOT, the principal at the school, and other officials.

"I pulled into the main entrance at the high school and just after I got out of the car to walk over and talk with DOT, a student leaving the high school pulled out in front of another vehicle. And of course, you know, a T-bone crash happened," said Tate.

Tate said that they discussed changing the traffic patterns with the school but that nothing with NC 89 was done.

“We can do something as simple as putting in a traffic signal, and saving lives," Tate said.

A traffic signal is something Tate suggested years ago and it's something that parents and residents are suggesting now.

"I just hope that we can all work together on a permanent resolution for this and it's done quicker rather than later," Horn said.

"We all do feel like the three accidents that's happened in a short period of time could have been preventable. And we're looking forward to not having any more of those," said Horn.

Surry County Schools said due to the accidents this year, they've partnered with the Surry County Sheriff's Office to implement changes. Read the full statement from them below.

"In the morning, marked drop-off locations will be in front of the school. All parents dropping students off should pull up to an open cone location for their child to exit the car. Students should depart cars in a timely manner at each drop-off location. In the afternoon, designated student pickup zones will be alongside the cafeteria. Parents, please pull up to the end of the pickup zone. Students should pay attention and get into cars at each pickup zone location. There are designated spots for student loading along the side of the school. There will be two lanes for car rider traffic leaving campus, turning left and right of the main parking gate.

The purpose of these marked pick up and drop off locations is to create additional capacity within the parking lot and alleviate traffic congestion on HWY 89.

North Surry High School has introduced a new traffic pattern for student drivers in the afternoon. Student drivers will be released with school buses and use the lower gate at dismissal. A Sheriff’s Deputy will remain at the exit to assist with buses and student drivers at the end of the school day. Student drivers should load cars and exit campus immediately to utilize the deputy assisting with traffic. Parents, please remind your student drivers about the importance of using caution exiting campus due to the heavy flow of afternoon traffic on HWY 89. This morning, the North Surry High School administration, a school resource officer, and a state trooper met with student drivers regarding safe exit procedures.

The Surry County Sheriff’s Office has reached out to Highway Patrol seeking additional resources for traffic management and student driver education. The district will support an additional traffic study of area roadways and adapt school traffic patterns to reflect necessary changes."

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