School Zone Safety Improvement Project |
WASHINGTON |
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PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Surveys conducted by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) in
Yakima, Washington, showed significant violations of speed limits in school
crosswalk and playground areas. In response to these serious safety concerns,
legislation was enacted doubling fines for speeding in a school zone. The
legislation provided that half of the new fine total would be earmarked
for improving school zone safety.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of the School Zone Safety Improvement Project was to improve compliance
of existing speed limit laws in school zones. In order to achieve this goal,
WTSC established the following objectives:
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The WTSC teamed with other organizations having a vested interested in traffic
safety, including local law enforcement and Safe Communities coalitions,
to plan a series of strategies and activities designed to meet the WTSC
goal and objectives for the project. The activities included the following:
RESULTS The grant funds awarded were used for activities other than for enforcement, including outfitting of school crossing guards, publicity for "red ribbon" ceremonies for sign installation, purchase and installation of "Double Fine" signs, enhanced community policing efforts and increased police presence near schools. Preliminary data from effectiveness studies indicate that there are no long-term effects of signage without enforcement. Based on the success of the project, the Washington State Legislature enacted legislation in 1997 that doubled the penalty for passing a stopped school bus, with the expectation that the School Zone Safety Improvement Project be replicated to improve compliance with laws regarding stopped school busses. Half the fines collected from enforcement of the new law will be dedicated to this effort. |
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Fall 1997 |