Parents, residents and a nearby business owner are raising concerns about traffic safety near Oceanway Middle School, saying drivers are speeding through the area and creating challenges for students and crossing guards.

For two years, Jacksonville parent Phyllis Seligman has volunteered as a crossing guard at Oceanway Middle School, helping students get to and from school safely.

She says she has had several close calls with drivers while working the crossing at Oceanway Avenue and Magnolia Avenue.

“I walk and block both lanes. They yell at me; they cuss at me. They try to hit me when they drive by. I’ve had people throw stuff at me. It’s ridiculous,” said Seligman.

Seligman says she has nearly been hit multiple times while helping students cross the road.

“I’ve been almost hit four times, and I had one child come running across before I could get in the middle and a car almost hit him,” said Seligman

Seligman also pointed us to the pedestrian crossing signal at the same intersection, which did not appear to activate when she pressed the button.

The posted speed limit on Oceanway Avenue is 30 miles per hour. Jaclyn Baker, who owns Andy’s Attic directly across from the school, says she has seen drivers traveling much faster.

“We’ve had to walk numerous customers across the street and stop traffic so they don’t get hit, said Baker.

Baker has operated her business across from the school for 10 years and says she has seen the traffic concerns firsthand.

She says adding more speed bumps could be one possible way to encourage drivers to slow down.

The City of Jacksonville said it has not received reports about the pedestrian crossing through its customer service system or 630-CITY.

The city says the crossing has a Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon, or RRFB, which activates when the push button is pressed and flashes for about a minute. The city said it is possible the beacon could be confused with a school-zone signal, which operates during certain times of the day.

The city’s Traffic Engineering Division said it will check the crossing’s operation.

Duval County Public Schools said traffic safety and enforcement on public roads are primarily handled by local law enforcement. The district said it continues to remind motorists to slow down, stay alert and follow traffic laws near schools through its “Be Safe. Be Seen.” campaign.

For parents and residents near Oceanway Middle School, the focus remains on making sure students can safely cross the road before and after school.