It’s no secret that life can be hectic. While the reason for our busy schedules differ, most of us can relate to long days when there is so much to do, so many places to go and little time to get it all done.

But no matter how consumed we get with our everyday lives, we can’t forget to obey traffic laws, especially ones that keep children safe.

When I sat down to interview crossing guard Patricia Morrison about her most recent accomplishment, she stressed to me her concern with how the public often disobeying her as she directs traffic before and after school.

Morrison said some drivers refuse to obey the 15 mph speed limit required for school zones or stop to allow students to cross the street. She even recalled a few instances when people almost ran her over when she attempted to stop them from passing at inappropriate times.

There is no excuse to ignore the orders of local officials who are simply trying to keep the streets safe for us. They are given the authority to do the job, because they know what’s best for the public.

Crossing guards deserve the same respect you would give to an officer, deputy or trooper who tells you to obey traffic laws.

And I promise that nothing that you have planned for the day is worth risking someone’s life.

Thousands die in car accidents each year in Alabama, and I do not want any students to be the victim of a tragic incident that could have easily been avoided if drivers slowed down and stopped when told in school zones.

Even those who do not have children should be able to understand the value of a child’s life and cringe at the thought of seeing parents go through the pain of losing a child.

We are a community, so we should act as one. We should see each child as our own and desire to protect them from the dangers of the world.

Students all across Dallas County are destined to change the community, nation and world for the better.

It would be devastating if their life was cut short and they were not given a chance to reach their full potential.

I appreciate the fact that Morrison is so passionate about her job as a crossing guard.

I spoke with her for less than ten minutes, but in that short time I could tell her job means the world to her.

Any crossing guard who “turns anther color” when people do not adhere to the traffic laws sees their occupation as more than just another 9-5.

I commend Morrison for the 15 years of work she has put in to make sure Selma High students can travel back and forth to school safely.

I just hope the community does all it can to make her job a little bit easier.