As we look forward to welcoming our students back for the new school year, we want to remind everyone of the school safety zone speed limits in and around our schools during specific timeframes. Specifically, arrival and dismissal times when we have an influx of pedestrians and vehicles around the schools. These zones are clearly marked by roadway signs and flashing lights.
During these restricted times the speed
limits are reduced to 20 MPH. It is critically important that these speed
limits are adhered to for the safety of our students, staff and parents that
are dropping off or picking up.
Reynoldsburg
City Schools works closely with the Reynoldsburg Police Department, Motor Unit,
in ensuring the roadways in front of our schools remain safe. The
Motor Unit works diligently to enforce school zone speed limits on a random
basis within our City.
Despite school zone safety
restrictions within the U.S. it is reported that more children are hit by
cars traveling within school zones than in any other location. Data from the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that as many as 327
school-aged children were killed from 2004 to 2013 in school
transportation-related crashes. The time periods between 7 and 8 a.m. and
3 and 4 p.m. were the most prevalent times. As many as 100 children are injured
every year in accidents that happen in school
zones.
These accidents are 100%
preventable. A reduction in speed provides for a shorter
stopping distance and more time for the driver to react. CBS News conducted a
study at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Track and found:
=
At 20 MPH it
took 23 feet to stop.
=
At 40 MPH it
took 68 feet to stop.
=
A crash at 30
MPH is eight times more likely to kill a pedestrian than at 20 MPH.
As a result, we are asking
you to please remain mindful and aware of our school safety zones. When you see
a flashing light, or if students are present in or around the roadway, please
be sure to slow down. You could save a life.
We
thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work toward keeping all
of our community safe.