GOAL:
To inform the public driving through School Zones when the slower speed limits in the zones are active, and apprehending and issuing hefty traffic fines to those that don't adhere to the speed limits.
PROBLEM:
The wording on the current Speed Limit Signs state that they are active "When Children are Present". This leaves the time of day when the lower speed limits are in effect open to interpretation. Legally, the specific times of day when a School Zone is active should be clearly displayed- these times are not visible anywhere. To make matters even more confusing the active school zone times are different for each school, according to the clerk at the Bentonville Police Department.
In addition, the Bentonville Police Department has been neglecting their responsibility to enforce lower speed limits in active School Zones. I have gone to the Bentonville Police Department a number of times to speak with Chief Allen and beg him to tell me how I could help make a change that would insure the safety of all school children, as well as my own. He said he would get back with me, but has not to this date. He did station a few police cars in active School Zones for a short time after each of our conversations. But after 4 years driving in my City's active School Zone, I have never seen even one traffic stop for a speeding vehicle. I do see cars speeding by the stationary police presence, with no response from the police officer in the car stationed at the active School Zone.
Why would the Bentonville Police Department choose not to write traffic tickets? I was informed by one officer that they don't collect enough money to make it worthwhile and that the State of Arkansas gets the bulk of the fine! I am sure cost is an issue for a city in these hard times, but how much is the life of one child worth? My children are priceless! What about your child?
Recently, I had a Bentonville School Bus going to the High School pass me on HWY 102 in front of Mary Mae Jones Elementary going 45 miles per hour. The bus driver had to change lanes to pass me! I called Bentonville School District Transportation Department, and the supervisor there took my observation very seriously. We need for the Police Department to do the same!
SOLUTIONS:
The solutions may not seem clear since the problem has ignored for so long, but there ARE good solutions to help slow down traffic. Best of all would be flashing yellow lights on the School Zone signs to indicate when the School Zone was active, AND Police enforcement of the posted speed limits. This is probably the most expensive option and will take planning by the city and school district to implement.
But we could start with something simple and more inexpensive:
Paint stripes and "SCHOOL ZONE 25 MPH" on the street marking the beginning and end of the School Zone. Add small signs to both sides of School Speed Sign posts that would state the times that the School Zone is active, with one side stating "ENTERING SCHOOL ZONE" and the other side stating "END SCHOOL ZONE". And ask the Police to enforce the speed limit in active school zones. Sometimes all it takes is a policeman with a radar gun standing by a speed limit sign to make drivers check their speed and SLOW DOWN.
Shouldn't safety be our real goal?
