2010 Media Releases

Date:

August 13, 2010

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 402-441-7831
Scott Opfer, Public Works and Utilities, 402-441-7711

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Mayor Promotes School Safety

With school beginning Wednesday, August 18, Mayor Chris Beutler today promoted two efforts aimed at getting students to and from school safely:

• The Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), the City's Public Works and Utilities Department and the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) are sponsoring the annual "Safe Walk and Safe Ride to School Night." Most schools will participate from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, August 16, and some will participate Tuesday, August 17. All school speed zones will be in operation.
• LPD will conduct its two-week "back to school" traffic enforcement project from Monday, August 23 to Friday, September 3. Additional officers will be posted around schools to promote traffic and pedestrian safety.

"We have numerous roadway projects under way around the City, so drivers need to use caution and patience as the school year begins," Mayor Beutler said. "I urge drivers to allow some extra time over the next couple of weeks while students and their families adapt to their new routines."

Three Lincoln schools received some added safety features this summer:

• At Roper Elementary, 2323 S. Coddington Ave., the roadway has been widened to a three- lane cross section, and a pedestrian traffic signal has been installed directly in front of the school on S. Coddington.
• At Arnold Elementary, 5000 Mike Scholl St., a left-turn lane has been installed on N.W. 48th Street at Mike Scholl St.
• A new 45 mph school zone has been established on Highway 34 at Fletcher.

Goodrich Middle School students will continue to be in attendance at the Dawes Middle School at Colfax Avenue and 52nd Street.

Voluntary one-way pick-up and drop-off driving plans and recommended walking routes are available from school principals and the City Web site at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: schools).

Pedestrians are encouraged to walk, not run, when crossing streets. Motorists are encouraged to pay attention to the signage in school areas. (A list follows this release).

Except for the new 45 mph school zone at Highway 34 and Fletcher, the speed limit in school zones is 25 mph. LPD has a "no tolerance" policy for enforcing school speed zones, and fines are doubled for speeding in these zones. The fines (not including court costs) for speeding in a school speed zone are:

• $20 for traveling 1 to 5 mph over the speed limit
• $50 for traveling 6 to 10 mph over the speed limit
• $150 for traveling 11 to 15 mph over the speed limit
• $250 for traveling 16 to 20 mph over the speed limit
• $400 for traveling 21 to 35 mph over the speed limit
• $600 for traveling 36 mph or more over the speed limit

School Area Signage

No Parking 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. School Days Loading Zone

These signs are installed in areas designated for picking up and dropping off students. Drivers can legally park in these areas for 10 minutes as long as they remain in their vehicles.

No Parking 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. School Days Bus Zone

These signs are installed in areas designated for school bus loading and unloading. Drivers are prohibited from using these areas when they are picking up or dropping off students.

No Stopping Anytime

These signs are installed in areas for safety reasons, and drivers are prohibited from stopping in these areas to pick up or drop off students.

No Stopping 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. School Days or No Stopping 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. School Days

These signs are the same as the "No Stopping Anytime" signs except that they are only in effect during the times stated.

Authorized School Crossing

These signs are installed at locations where drivers should expect to see concentrations of children crossing the street. Crossings adjacent to schools also usually have "No Stopping Anytime" signs nearby to allow drivers to better see the children approaching or standing at the curb.