Okay... My neighbors kids stay in the middle of the road. I've come around corners and almost hit them. I've also run up on the younger ones sitting down in the middle of the road. To make matter worse they refuse to move over. Also, it's not just the kids but their parents. They walk on the wrong side two to three people wide and then their dogs are in the other lane. I was taught you walk facing traffic and bike with the traffic. I'm afraid one day I or someone else will hit them. Their father is the high school track coach so I'm not sure as to why they all have such lousy road manners. Anyone know of a why I make them aware of the road rules without coming off in the wrong way?

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Originally Posted by mustangchristy77

Okay...My neighbors kids stay in the middle of the road. I've come around corners and almost hit them. I've also run up on the younger ones sitting down in the middle of the road. To make matter worse they refuse to move over. Also, it's not just the kids but their parents. They walk on the wrong side two to three people wide and then their dogs are in the other lane. I was taught you walk facing traffic and bike with the traffic. I'm afraid one day I or someone else will hit them. Their father is the highschool track coach so I'm not sure as to why they all have such lousy road manners. Anyone know of a why I make them aware of the road rules without coming off in the wrong way?

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I'm a straight forward person. I would tell them exactly what you've printed here, in a nice, informative way. If they are angry, well, then they're angry - alive and not run over, but angry.

The bad side of this is once you make them aware that you know they have very bad "road manners," if you should hit one of them you have absolute liability, no excuses, because you have advance notice of their bad "road manners."

It's a difficult call to make.

It seems that the kids are being allowed to take risk taking, and possible life threatening behaviours by being in the street, and refusing to move when a car needs to get through.

I doubt that a direct message to her will have her parent her children properly.

I would be inclined to write out a polite request to outline what you have said here. Then register it to her home. Make sure you keep a copy.

While you know to watch for them, others don't as you said. If some hapless driver comes around that corner and kills one of them, at least you would be able to provide proof that this had been an ongoing problem with this family, and the driver may not be paying out the wazoo for their neglect. Don't quote me on that, I'm no lawyer, but I'd be damn sure if it were me to pass that letter on to the police should anything happen.

I don't know that I could drive by that everyday and wonder when one of the kids is going to get hit and killed, or seriously injured.

I would most likely (if she doesn't stop allowing this) to contact the CPS, as much as I hate to recommend that. Somebody has to protect the children. Maybe all the mother needs is a wakeup call.

Have you tried talking to your local police? They may be able to start doing a few drivebys and if the kids are in the road they can get a warning or a ticket. Another thing is the issue of them not moving. That is pure arrogance. And it should never be tolerated. At that point they are actually breaking the law. And should you want to you can make a citizens arrest. It tends to dispel that little rumor children have of "you can't touch me or be sued". So check with your local police first and see what they suggest.

This is a police matter and should be handled by them if at all possible. I would think that the police would prefer to get the kids and pets out of the road before they have to do so on a stretcher.