If you own a car and a valid driver’s license, you likely drive yourself to school.

This comes with many perks: you don’t have to wait for the bus, you don’t have to rely on your parents to shuttle you back and forth, and you don’t have to worry about arranging transportation. This also means you’re able to leave school to grab lunch.

All of these aspects are wonderful to have access to, but driving to school isn’t as amazing as it sounds. How, you might ask?

One of the major flaws is the infamous PHS student parking lot.

Full of teenagers (some that by all legal and technical means shouldn’t be driving) entering and exiting the lot is like rolling dice.

Will you get T-boned by a speed demon with a not-so-luxurious car, or backed into by one with a fancy Mustang?

The truth is, the parking lot is more dangerous than you might think.

Students constantly back out of parking spaces without so much as a glance back. This coupled with the fact that many think it’s cool to drive like they’re in a monster truck rally makes for a deadly combination.

Countless people rev their engines and stomp the gas. They speed up and down the rows of cars, not concerned for other students that might be crossing the lot or driving normally. They cut close to other vehicles – almost taking out a mirror in the process. And once in a blue moon, a student driver might actually look both ways before pulling out of the lot and into oncoming traffic.

It’s honestly amazing there aren’t more accidents.

If you’re one of the drivers who behaves like you’re supposed to, watch out for those who don’t. Be extremely cautious – more so than you typically would be.

If you’re one of the people who thinks it’s acceptable to risk the lives of other people because you think you look “cool”—stop. Preferably at the stop sign.