The Flagler County school district is trying to make it safer for students to travel to and from school, and education officials are asking parents to participate in a bicycle and pedestrian safety study review.

Queenie McCray remembers the horror stories of students who were hit by cars last year in Flagler County. She thinks a survey could possibly explain why it seems to be a recurring problem in the area.

"With all of these kids are getting hit by cars, it really was a shock to me," McCray said.

One of the five reported accidents during the 2015-2016 school year was fatal. Flagler County Public Schools is now working with the River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization on a new study to improve safety while biking or walking to school.

The study's survey is open to the seven elementary and middle schools in the county.

"We can look at those routes and try to tailor recommendations that are specific to those routes and the students that are using them," said Stephan Harris, project manager of the transportation planning organization.  

Harris said the same study was done in Volusia County about 60 times between 2005 and 2011 and has been effective there. It's the first time it is being done in Flagler.

The study allows the organization to develop procedures and programs to improve safety and to review sidewalk gaps, traffic patterns and light timing.

After officials receive the results from the study, the organization is able to make recommendations to the district and to the Florida Department of Transportation with the findings.

"If we can reduce injuries, reduce fatalities with pedestrians and bicyclist along the way, then that's a win-win," Harris said.

There are two surveys available.

Teachers are asking questions to their students like how they get to school and how they get home from school. Parents are asked to take the survey online on the district's website. The survey includes 16 questions.

"These kids, you know, how they just go in front of cars — they're not thinking either," McCray said. "But that's our job to keep them safe."

Harris said the ultimate goal of the survey is to keep the children safe and find out where improvements are needed. McCray said she'll do the survey with the hope that it can save lives.

"I do not want no other kids to be getting hit," McCray said.

The planning organization plans to report its findings to the district within a couple months and have a final report completed by June.

Go here to take the survey.