PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) surveys conducted throughout the state indicated significant levels of speed in school zones. Speed limits are posted at 20 MPH when children are present or during specific times. Speeds in excess of 50 MPH were observed during these surveys and certain locations showed up to 50 percent of motorists not complying with reduced school zone speeds.

In May 1996, the Washington State Legislature enacted legislation that doubled the monetary penalty (fine) for speeding in school crosswalk and playground zones. The legislation was in direct response to community and citizen concerns. Furthermore, the legislation stipulated that half the doubled fine ($66), go directly to the WTSC for the purpose of improving school zone safety. Funding from this source will be used for overtime and public information activities for this project.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of this project was to increase children's safety in school zones by providing:

• Overtime funding to law enforcement agencies in order to aggressively enforce school speed limits

• A public education campaign aimed at informing motorists of the law, limits and increased enforcement

• Minor engineering enhancements to include changing to fluorescent yellow-green signage and signs informing the public of the “Double Penalty”

• Funding for school zone improvement projects in cooperation with local groups, agencies, coalitions, Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), and students

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

Law Enforcement Overtime Funds

The WTSC established performance-based funding criteria for law enforcement agencies based on a written enforcement plan submitted to WTSC. The enforcement plan served as an agency’s commitment to conduct active enforcement in school zones, produce local press releases, and educate motorists upon contact. Based on the enforcement plan, police agencies are awarded state grant funds to pay up to 20 hours of overtime per school zone throughout the state.

Public Information

A public information campaign was initiated by WTSC using Public Service Announcements (PSA) distributed through local enforcement agencies to the print media. PSA’s were distributed to all state radio markets having a significant number of children walking to school. (Note: Many rural school districts have no pedestrian traffic because all children are bussed to school). The combined enforcement and media efforts are anticipated to reach approximately 80 percent of the state’s population.

Engineering

Informational signage was developed in cooperation with the State Department of Transportation that read, “Speeding Fines Doubled in School Zones”. A number of signs were placed in advance of the school crossing zones. Further activities included a 50 percent matched grant program to local jurisdictions to replace existing school zone crossing signs with new fluorescent yellow-green signage.

Local Programs

A number of local, community-based efforts were initiated through local groups to sponsor “Safe Routes to Schools” and “Walk Your Child to School” programs.

RESULTS

During the pilot phase of this project in 2000, no school children were injured or killed in motor vehicle collisions. Over 125 state, county, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies participated in the overtime enforcement project. That effort resulted in over 5,000 violators contacted and over 1,000 traffic violations issued at a cost of $40,000 in overtime grant funds.

Other project results include providing school jurisdictions with reflective vests for school crossing guards, sponsoring community events, installing new fluorescent yellow-green signs, increasing police presence near schools, enhancing community policing, and fostering a general perception of a safer environment for children.

   FALL 2001