Title
Florida Senate Bill 244, Modification to School Zones (B)
Explanation
Senate Bill 244 modifies Florida Statute 316.1895, which regulates when school zones are in effect. Currently, school zones are in effect 30 minutes prior to and after school starts and end times - the times when motorists will most likely encounter children walking between their school and home. The proposed modification will allow school boards, at their sole discretion, to lengthen the effective time of school zones to include the entire school day. There is no requirement for an engineering study or other justification to warrant such a change.
Both our Professional Engineering and Police Department staffs believe this legislation will decrease motorist's compliance for speed reductions through school zones and actually decrease safety of the children. The majority of speed limit violations in school zones come during times when children and pedestrians are not prevalent along the roadways. If the reduced speed is in effect during school hours after the children are in class, motorists will not feel compelled to reduce their speeds. Additionally, this legislation does not clarify whether or not schoolcrossing guards will be required during the entire time the school zones are activated.
This request is made in the interest of continued safety for the school children in our community.
Fiscal Note
None.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the Alachua County Legislative Delegation opposing Senate Bill 244.