With every school year the opportunity for students to experience driving for the first time comes. For others, the dread of dealing with these new drivers comes. 

“In the mornings the parking lot is pretty easy because everyone gets there at separate times. I don’t struggle parking because I get to the school earlier. Yes, I come to school early to get a better spot,” Fernanda Orr (‘28) said. 

At South, there are two main exits in the students parking lot. Even though these exits are located on opposite sides of the lot, students still struggle to stay organized during dismissal. 

“It is really hard to get out of the parking lot after school, people don’t pay attention or people are honking at each other for no reason and yelling at each other. I feel like not everyone knows how the zipper effect works when leaving and I always feel bad when people have to wait for the cars on the outside to go before the ones in the middle are able to move.” Serenity Boxum (‘25) said. 

In a Google Form that received 68 responses from students, 57 agreed that there should be something done about the parking situation, specifically after school. Suggestions included dividing the lot into classes or dismissing by grade so that there is less traffic at a specific time. Others suggested that there should be an officer or a teacher outside directing traffic to avoid accidents and keep a fair flow moving. 

But, even students who do not drive have to deal with the way impatient drivers act while trying to exit the school. 

“I walk home everyday and it’s not too hard to cross traffic at least until I get to the road between the school and Jerry Ivy. Lots of people pull up past where people are supposed to walk and I have to wait and wait until someone finally gives me a second to cross.” Brooke Cain (‘26) said. 

The parking lot is a real mess after school, and students should be aware of the rules and etiquette that come with the privilege of driving to ensure safety and efficiency for everyone. For example, students note that not everyone knows or respects how a zipper merge works. A zipper merge is used when two lanes of traffic need to merge into one. One car from one lane will go, and then another car from the second lane will proceed. This continues back and forth, like a zipper. This ensures that lanes won’t get clogged up or cause more traffic.