Families in the Lake Asbury community are raising urgent concerns about dangerous traffic conditions on Sandridge Road between Lake Asbury Elementary (LAE) and Lake Asbury Junior High (LAJH).
What many parents describe as a daily frustration is now being viewed as something far more serious: a safety hazard unfolding every single school morning directly in front of two campuses.
Morning Drop-Off Has Turned Into Gridlock
Each morning during school drop-off, traffic backs up heavily as vehicles attempt immediate left turns into the junior high entrance.
Parents say the intersection becomes clogged quickly, leaving long lines of cars sitting and waiting with no safe opening to turn. Some families report they are stuck for extended periods unless another driver allows them through.
Others say drivers eventually feel pressured to pull out and stop traffic just to make the turn.
The result is a chaotic bottleneck between both schools.
Families Say Kids Are Being Marked Late
Several parents report that the congestion has become so severe that students are being marked tardy through no fault of their own.
One parent described nearly being T-boned by a speeding vehicle and said families are often told simply to “leave earlier,” even though school gates do not open until 8:15 a.m.
Parents say they can end up sitting in parking lots for 10 to 15 minutes while the bell rings, watching the morning slip away in a standstill.
Pedestrian Safety Is the Biggest Fear
Beyond traffic delays, parents say the most alarming issue is student safety.
Children cross this roadway during peak congestion, and families report that visibility is limited and driver behavior is unpredictable.
Parents warn that the current setup feels like an accident waiting to happen.
Questions Raised About Road Design
Some residents are also questioning whether recent road renovations may have made conditions worse.
Community members have criticized design choices such as the existing median and the lack of additional turn lanes or controlled traffic flow improvements in an area serving two busy schools.
Many say the problem has existed for years but has become increasingly unmanageable.
Schools Have Limited Authority to Fix It
Residents note that schools can request certain traffic behaviors, such as limiting left-hand turns, but official enforcement, signage, or intersection changes must come from Clay County traffic officials.
One community member explained that the issue has already been raised at a School Advisory Council meeting and suggested that stronger county involvement or even a community petition may be needed to bring real traffic control support.
Calls for Immediate Action
Parents and residents are now urging local officials to intervene before a serious incident occurs.
Suggested solutions include:
- Law enforcement or traffic officer presence during morning drop-off
- A formal traffic engineering review
- Clearer signage such as “No Left Turn During School Hours”
- Improved pedestrian crossing safety
- Long-term traffic signal evaluation
County Engineer Notified
Clay County Commissioner Kristen Thompson Burke responded that the county engineer has been notified and will review what needs to be done.
For many Lake Asbury families, the hope is that action comes quickly, before this daily congestion turns into a tragedy.
Have you experienced traffic issues during drop-off near LAE or LAJH?
ClayFLNews.com will continue following updates as the county reviews the situation.
