Mesa Public School students return to classes on Wednesday, Aug. 8, and, as that date gets closer, it is a great time to think about what we can do as drivers in District 5 to make sure Mesa’s school zones are safe for our students.
A good understanding of the traffic laws associated with school and crossing zones is essential for safe travel around schools. Below are four topics to keep in mind when driving in a school zone.
Speed
The 15-mph speed zone is there to protect children who need to cross the street. This speed control is used when there is no stop sign or traffic signal to assist children in the crossing. Be sure to adhere to the 15-mph speed limit at the instance of the first in-street traffic sign, and maintain the slower speed until you fully clear the marked crosswalk. When you are near a school, always be conscious of your speed, so you can react quickly to any situation.
The Crosswalk
Drivers are not allowed to enter a school crosswalk if there is a pedestrian in any part of the crosswalk. Be aware of your surroundings as you approach the school crosswalk, and be ready to stop. Drivers can resume the street’s posted speed limit once their vehicle has fully cleared the crosswalk markings.
No Passing Allowed
You are not allowed to pass another vehicle in the school zone, even if you are going 15 mph. If another vehicle is traveling at a slower speed, you must slow down so you do not pass that vehicle in the school zone. This is important for keeping peripheral visibility in case of a crossing pedestrian.
Parking
All drivers need to comply with the No Parking, No Standing, No Stopping signage, as it is there to ensure that the student crossing areas are kept clear and visible. It is vital to comply, even if it’s just for a few seconds. In addition, to maintain visibility of pedestrians, drivers are not allowed to park within 30 feet of a stop sign or within 20 feet of an intersection.
As drivers, we must understand the traffic laws for these locations and follow them at all times. It is also a good idea to remind our teenage drivers of these important traffic laws. Remember to be patient as you approach and drive through Mesa school zones, so all students can get to and from school safely.
For more information, do not hesitate to call me at (480) 644-3771, or send an email to District5@mesaaz.gov.