Parking: it may be a little cramped, but it still needs to be safe.

By Kristin Hopkins

It’s no wonder Flathead High’s neighbors take offense to students’ attitudes.

Besides the littering, smoking and trampling on lawns which lead to the complaints that are usually voiced, community members can look even closer to ground zero for a tangible illustration of students’ apathy.

Trying to drive through the main parking lot on a school day or when an event is happening in the gym is like trying to navigate the Exxon Valdeiz through a creek. With all the illegal parking, there simply is not enough room to move.

Granted, there is limited parking around the school, and it is certainly convenient to grab a spot in the fire lane when returning late from lunch, but besides a few scrapes and fender-benders in the lots, there are dangerous consequences from these thoughtless parking jobs.

If there was ever a medical crisis or fire at the school, the emergency vehicles could not make it through the parking lot to help. With so many cars parked in the red, a fire truck or ambulance would have to plow through the illegally parked cars to reach the emergency.

Parking in the fire zone is a blatant act of laziness and indifference to safety. Taking a few extra minutes and parking legally is worth it, as it ensures a safe path for emergency vehicles — and could save some one’s life.