Aussie mum draws flak for dropping off her 12-year-old son at school
- Replies 6
Dropping off kids at school can be a stressful experience for many parents. Traffic congestion and limited drop-off points often lead to chaos and confrontation in school zones.
One Sydney mum recently experienced the worst of this road rage firsthand, only to face backlash when she complained online.
The mother, who remains anonymous, regularly drops off her 12-year-old disabled son at Marcellin College in the busy suburb of Randwick.
With no legal parking spots, she stops for under two minutes in the 'no parking' zone on Avoca Street directly out front of the school, as permitted by road rules.
This allows her son, who cannot catch the bus or cross the busy road alone due to his unspecified disability, to exit the car safely near the school gates. But the area is known for its chaotic traffic and impatient drivers during peak times.
The mum described the daily abuse she receives while following this routine, saying, 'The level of road rage that myself and my 12 (year old) are subjected to while I am picking up and dropping off at the only possible place at his school is next level.'
She said, 'This afternoon, I genuinely feared for our safety, as the car behind me and the car behind that started honking like mad. I am actually beginning to fear being rear-ended on purpose because people absolutely lose their minds when I put my blinker or hazards on and stop there.'
Other parents described similar hostile encounters, with drivers shouting curse words, making obscene gestures, and aggressively tailgating them.
A user commented on the post, sharing, 'I've been called every name under the sun just for stopping for a minute to let my kids out.'
But when the mum posted online asking for more courtesy, commenters accused her of being inconsiderate for blocking traffic.
One person remarked, 'Silly place to stop, given how busy the road is. Imagine the chaos and accidents if the whole school had your attitude and did that.'
Another agreed and added: 'You are entitled to be right about the no parking sign. However, it is unsafe for you and your child to stop there during peak hour as you create an obstruction, and no one can predict what might happen next.'
Upset by the criticism, the mother clarified that her son's disability left her no choice. Addressing the less-than-pleasant comments, she replied: 'Thanks for the absolutely disgusting comments, everybody.'
'I will continue to drop my child at school, but instead of hurrying him out the car door within 10 seconds, I'll be sure to sit there and wait until 1 min 59 secs before driving off, from now on.'
While the road rules allow her actions, some users argue she should be considerate of other drivers.
But plenty of fellow parents defended her on social media, saying the mum does not need to 'justify her actions' just because people choose to be impatient.
This situation underscores the importance of greater awareness, patience, and courtesy, not just when it comes to school drop-offs but in all public areas and on the roads.
Can't we spare a few extra minutes to accommodate those in need, like seniors and individuals with disabilities, without resorting to road rage? We should all strive to set a better example and show more compassion while driving.
Members, have any of you experienced similar incidents? How did you handle the situation? Please share your stories with us in the comments below.
One Sydney mum recently experienced the worst of this road rage firsthand, only to face backlash when she complained online.
The mother, who remains anonymous, regularly drops off her 12-year-old disabled son at Marcellin College in the busy suburb of Randwick.
With no legal parking spots, she stops for under two minutes in the 'no parking' zone on Avoca Street directly out front of the school, as permitted by road rules.
This allows her son, who cannot catch the bus or cross the busy road alone due to his unspecified disability, to exit the car safely near the school gates. But the area is known for its chaotic traffic and impatient drivers during peak times.
The mum described the daily abuse she receives while following this routine, saying, 'The level of road rage that myself and my 12 (year old) are subjected to while I am picking up and dropping off at the only possible place at his school is next level.'
She said, 'This afternoon, I genuinely feared for our safety, as the car behind me and the car behind that started honking like mad. I am actually beginning to fear being rear-ended on purpose because people absolutely lose their minds when I put my blinker or hazards on and stop there.'
Other parents described similar hostile encounters, with drivers shouting curse words, making obscene gestures, and aggressively tailgating them.
A user commented on the post, sharing, 'I've been called every name under the sun just for stopping for a minute to let my kids out.'
But when the mum posted online asking for more courtesy, commenters accused her of being inconsiderate for blocking traffic.
One person remarked, 'Silly place to stop, given how busy the road is. Imagine the chaos and accidents if the whole school had your attitude and did that.'
Another agreed and added: 'You are entitled to be right about the no parking sign. However, it is unsafe for you and your child to stop there during peak hour as you create an obstruction, and no one can predict what might happen next.'
Upset by the criticism, the mother clarified that her son's disability left her no choice. Addressing the less-than-pleasant comments, she replied: 'Thanks for the absolutely disgusting comments, everybody.'
'I will continue to drop my child at school, but instead of hurrying him out the car door within 10 seconds, I'll be sure to sit there and wait until 1 min 59 secs before driving off, from now on.'
While the road rules allow her actions, some users argue she should be considerate of other drivers.
But plenty of fellow parents defended her on social media, saying the mum does not need to 'justify her actions' just because people choose to be impatient.
Key Takeaways
- A Sydney mum complained about the road rage she received for following a 'little-known rule' when dropping her 12-year-old son at school.
- She faced backlash online, with critics arguing that while her actions were legal, they were not considerate and could lead to traffic congestion and potential accidents.
- The mum defended her actions, revealing that her son is disabled and that she fears for their safety with the aggressive reactions they often encounter.
- Commenters came to her defence, agreeing she does not need to 'justify her actions' and calling out the aggressive tone of the other comments.
This situation underscores the importance of greater awareness, patience, and courtesy, not just when it comes to school drop-offs but in all public areas and on the roads.
Can't we spare a few extra minutes to accommodate those in need, like seniors and individuals with disabilities, without resorting to road rage? We should all strive to set a better example and show more compassion while driving.
Members, have any of you experienced similar incidents? How did you handle the situation? Please share your stories with us in the comments below.