Letter: School zone lights
Posted on July 14, 2010What do you know about the school zone lights operating this morning? It seems a little early for summer school to have started. I question the need to operate these lights at the high schools and maybe the middle schools, too. What do your readers think of prohibiting the lights to operate at the high schools during the summer months?
Speaking of possible misuse of these school zone lights, did you notice they were used after the football games this past season at Harry Lang Stadium? Finally, I observed the CPSD buses limiting their speed to 20 MPH in all school zones, all day. This occurred during the entire school year, regardless of the time of day. What a waste of time. I think the LPD should ticket the buses for impeding traffic when the warning lights are not flashing. What do your readers think of that?
Greg Ellis
Lakewood
Editor's Note: Following is a response from Kim Prentice, Director of Community Relations for Clover Park School District. If you have an opinion, please click through to the comments area.
School zone flashing lights
Background
Lakewood Police Officers enforce the school zone speed limits during the school year as well as during summer school. The lights flash a half hour before and after the start and dismissal of school to allow for students who walk to school. The school district provides information to the city on school start and dismissal times and after school activities. City staff members then program the flashing lights. Summer School 2010
In Clover Park School District, summer school started Tuesday, July 6. Elementary/middle summer schools operate Monday through Friday, through July 30.
Hudtloff Middle School, 8102 Phillips Road SW
Lochburn Middle School, 5431 Steilacoom Blvd. SW
Mann Middle School. 11509 Holden Rd. SW
Woodbrook Middle School, 14920 Spring St.
Dower Elementary, 7817 Dower Rd. W
Evergreen Elementary, Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Lakeview Elementary, 10501 47th Ave. SW
Oakwood Elementary, 3230 85th St. S.
Park Lodge Elementary, 6300 100th St. SW
High school summer school for Clover Park and Lakes students is held Monday through Friday, at Clover Park High School, 11023 Gravelly Lake Drive SW through Friday, Aug. 11. In addition, Clover Park and Lakes High Schools will hold their annual freshman orientation programs as listed below:
Warrior Academy, CPHS, July 19 – Aug. 20 (Monday – Thursday)
Lancer Academy, LHS, Aug. 16 – 27 (Monday – Friday)
After-School Activities
School zone flashing lights are also activated for many after school activities including sporting events at Harry Lang Stadium. Often, the general public is unaware of school activity schedules. The school zone flashing lights serve as a warning for drivers to be aware that pedestrians may be in the area and to use caution. Lakewood Police Officers issue citations when the school zone lights are flashing for a confirmed after school activity.
School Zone Speed
Seven years ago, Clover Park School District (CPSD) established a procedure to ensure school buses adhere to the 20 mph speed limit in school zones (24 hours a day/7 days a week). The procedure was implemented prior to automatic cameras being installed, police emphasis in and around school zones and school zone flashing lights. Since the buses are proceeding slower than the posted speed limit, by law the school bus must notify the community by means of hazard lights.
Many CPSD schools are near main arterial crosswalks and/or Pierce Transit bus stops. Safety is a major concern, especially for pedestrians who at times do not adhere to safe walking/crossing techniques. The pros related to community safety outweigh the cons of speed. The stopping distance at 25 mph for a school bus is twice the distance as it is at 20 mph.
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5 Comments
July 15th, 2010 at 8:06 am
Since when is protecting our children a waste of time?
I have watched countless speeding cars blast through school zones over the years and have personally witnessed several VERY close calls. High School "kids" get just as mindless when excited as grade schoolers and have been known to race across a busy street while "playing".
Mr. Ellis, you might want to find an alternate route so you aren't
"wasting your time." No offense, but it isn't about you - it is about ALL OUR CHILDREN. As noted by the CPSD official, there are MANY activities around our schools that the community wouldn't be aware of save for the warning lights.
Deal with it - leave earlier, drive slowly.
(ps if this is all you have to complain about, life must be pretty good!)
July 15th, 2010 at 10:29 am
I agree. I see cars blatantly ignore the flashing lights by Park Lodge and John Dower, even when others are obeying the lower speed limit. The amount of extra time spent driving a couple blocks at 20 mph vs 25 mph is minimal - the injury or worse of a child is far more important. I think it is important to note that one should be cautious around children, even outside school zones. Do you slow down for skateboarders or kids walking along the street (many of which do not have sidewalks) or on bicycles? Mr. Ellis will probably not get much sympathy for his position from the parents in this community. I certainly have none - and my children are in their 20s.
July 15th, 2010 at 10:56 am
I agree that all school zones should be 20 mph at all times and strictly enforced. My wife and I have seen children waiting in a crosswalk to cross a busy intersection while cars, trucks etc. buzz on by. We have also had impatient drivers honk or attempt to pass us after we have slowed to a stop to let a child or person cross. Most school zones have parks and playgrounds in the area where children are playing year round into the evening, not only 30 minutes prior and following school times. Maybe Mr. Ellis should take a little field trip and visit the areas and try to cross the street a few times. Then he can let us know how many vehicles passed him and how many slowed down to let him cross. Give us a call on your cell phone Mr. Ellis. But please use a hands free device.
July 15th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
In the absence of flashing notices, not only do motorists have to wonder what is meant by "When Children Are Present" but also whether the reduced speed times apply and/or are enforced during school vacations. holidays, etc. If the school districts would like to make friends, and a dependence on levies certainly calls for more friends, they could start by working with the County officials to standardize.. all school zones, signs and - to the greatest extent possible - start and stop times
July 21st, 2010 at 5:41 pm
All the school bus drivers are given very specific instructions regarding "child safety", which is their major concern. It's time more drivers took a deep breath & realize that a few seconds out of ones' life is really not a big deal....you still get to your destination...unless you cause an accident because you "just have to go faster".