Seattle traffic has proven to be a main cause of stress for many Bishop Blanchet students. When going deep into the halls of Bishop Blanchet, we have found many opinions about how students feel about the traffic in our city.

“I hate traffic! I like to step on it!” Junior John Bennett said. “I always get so upset and mad at cars!”

It is a fact that Seattle has the third worst traffic time in the country. Does it feel that way?

“I wouldn’t really know.” Junior Hope Gould said. “I haven’t really spent enough time in other cities to know. But Seattle does have really bad traffic, so I can believe it.“

With driving comes missed signals, undetected cars, hidden vision, wrecks, and road rage. These are all effects of the daily commutes to school. Some students add on 10 -25 minutes from the traffic added to their route to school. It takes Senior Oshea Trujillo about 45 minutes to an hour to get to school with Traffic. Coming from the west, junior Kyle Joyce reports that it takes 30-40 minutes with traffic.

Traffic can be a tricky thing. Some students have found their own personal ways to stay out of the long stop and go lines. Junior, Kate Schwabe is one of these students. Kate said, “I try to leave my house at a certain time in the morning when I know that traffic isn’t too bad,” said Junior Kate Schwabe. “I have also found some back roads that usually help!”

Others find themselves staying away from busy roads. Teacher John Freyman said, “I do whatever I can to stay clear of I-5!”

Traffic is a daily annoyance for the kids at Blanchet. It varies with the speed and congestion of traffic, and some of the choices drivers make.

Bennett said, “What annoys me the most is slow drivers who drive below or at the speed limit especially when there is two in the same line,” He adds annoyingly, “then I can’t pass them, which really annoys me!”

Others don’t find the speed of the cars a problem and more the maneuvers.

“I hate when people do stupid or illegal things in order to benefit themselves,” said Gould. “An example is when parents drop their kids off at school and let them out in the middle of the street. If I am driving behind someone like that, it’s really frustrating.”

Hope goes on, “I have to wait for them and sometimes it takes forever!“

Many students have reported that they have been late to school because of the early morning commute to school.

Schwabe said, “I am late all the time because of traffic, sometimes it’s too hard to predict when it will be bad or not.”

Traffic can be dangerous and frustrating, but it is always important to drive safely. We want the students here at Bishop Blanchet to stay out of accidents and get to school on time. If you are ever late to school because of messy traffic, call the office and report it. This can help you stay out of detention.