Columbus School Zone Accidents Reveals Speeding Problem

  • Post category:April 2014

Columbus School Zone Accidents Reveals Speeding Problem

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Columbus police are working hard to enforce existing school zones on roads near public and private schools. According to police, many drivers are ignoring posted school zone speed limits. Ohio Police are concerned that a lack of caution in school zones will lead to an increased number of Columbus School Zone Accidents as children and their guardians cross the road. Columbus police are dedicated to enforcing school zones to keep children safe as they travel to and from school.

Columbus School Zone Accidents Biggest Danger Zone

According to the Columbus Police Department, Livingston Avenue is one of the biggest danger zones for children. Police have written more tickets for violations on this road than any other school zone in the city. Zones near Bishop Hartley and Africentric, Walnut Ridge High School, and Woodcrest Elementary have the most speeding violations.

“We have a speeding problem many places in the city, but particularly there at Livingston Avenue,” said Sgt. Todd Kerin, Columbus Police Department.

The police are using all available officers to control speeders in these high-enforcement zones. On some days, officers pull over as many as 3 vehicles within a 10-minute period. Over the last year, hundreds of drivers have received tickets for speeding in a school zone.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Ohio School Zones

School zones see thousands of pedestrian accidents each year. Many of these accidents occur due to drivers speeding and otherwise ignoring posted traffic laws and caution signs. State-wide, Ohio saw 11,866 school zone pedestrian accidents between 2010 and 2012. In the same time period, schools in Columbus saw nearly 100 pedestrian-related accidents near schools. There were no deaths in Columbus due to pedestrian accidents, but there were numerous injuries. [February 2014, http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPPM/SystemsPlanning/Pages/SRTSCrashStatistics.aspx]

Columbus School Zone Accident Laws

The state of Ohio has state-wide rules for school zones that help keep children safe as they travel to and from school. The speed limit in all school zones is 20 MPH and is enforceable during before school, after school, and when children are at recess. The penalty for speeding through a school zone is usually a misdemeanor in the fourth degree or third degree (for more than one offence within a year), with a penalty of no more than 30 or 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $250 or $350. [February 2014, http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4511.21]

How To Avoid School Zone Accidents in Columbus

Avoiding Columbus school zone crashes and Ohio pedestrian crashes is simple. According to Columbus law, drivers must follow all traffic laws while in school zones, which include not using cell phones and stopping for school bus unloading and loading. When buss lights are flashing, drivers are not permitted to pass the bus. Avoid school zone violations by taking the following precautions:

  • Don’t use a cell phone while in a school zone- even if you are parked.
  • Watch for children who may be crossing the road without adult guidance.
  • Do not pass any school vehicles with flashing lights.
  • Pay attention to when school zones are active- usually before and after school and always when zone lights are flashing.

[August 2013, http://www.nbc4i.com/story/23201143/cpd-reminds-drivers-to-respect-school-zones]

These tips will help prevent dangerous and deadly accidents near Columbus schools.

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