Yes, the solution is simple. There is a program called Safe Routes to School, which takes advantage the legs the kids were born with. What the kids do with the legs, is something called walking, or riding a bicycle. With a national epidemic of obese kids, and the rise of Type 2 diabetes, driving kids to school is way more dangerous than having them get their under their own power.

concerned wtp resident - more than 40,000 people a year die in car accidents in the US alone. It's far safer for everyone when the hyper parents go straight to work, and little Johnny and Jane walk to school. The roads become much safer when they have fewer cars on them, and the additional benefit of getting the kids to exercise provides many benefits - improved health, fewer medical conditions, more focused and energized students, and safer streets for everyone.

Here's a case study from Garfield: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/program-tools/case-study-garfield-new-jersey

I'd say Garfield is way more congested than Westwood, and they were able to get the kids walking/riding safely. It's the cars near the schools that cause the congestion, which then causes tension, which leads to poor driving. Get the parents' cars away from the schools, and it will be safer and happier for everyone.

No problem Jim, I'm a League of American Bicyclists certified cycling instructor, and local. If you want to do a follow up solution piece, please contact me. Here's a great blog post by Tom Vanderbilt, author of "Traffic". http://www.howwedrive.com/2010/10/27/the-logistics-of-the-school-drop-off/

Can't really add much. Would like to second walking and biking suggestions above.