Why some school-zone lights are flashing though campuses are closed

| Coronavirus | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Though Seattle Public Schools campuses are closed, some are open part of the day for meal distribution, so school-zone speed limits will be in effect near those schools during those hours, starting today and continuing until late June. As announced by SDOT:

The bright yellow flashing lights on 20MPH signs near schools will flash between 10:45 am and 1:15 pm to show when the school zone speed limits are in effect. The lights will be flashing at 16 local schools … to remind drivers that students are present and to drive slow. Cameras issuing tickets will not be turned on. Our goal is to reduce speeds and if we continue to see increases, we will consider other speed reduction measures.

We’ve seen an uptick in driving speeds since the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order has been in place.
With less cars on the roads, drivers are tempted to step on the gas. Don’t do it!

The local schools on the list are Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), adjacent Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon), West Seattle Elementary (6760 34th SW), and Concord International Elementary (723 S. Concord, South Park).

Bradley April 15, 2020 (12:20 pm)

“The lights will be flashing at 16 local schools … to remind drivers that students are present and to drive slow”
NEWS FLASH: Students AREN’T present as every school in the State is closed, and nearly every school in the nation. Is this some sort of late April Fool’s joke from SDOT? If they’re bored, there’s thousands of pot holes to fix.

WSB April 15, 2020 (1:32 pm)

They are present while picking up food 11 am-1 pm. See link to full announcement
Rumbles April 15, 2020 (1:49 pm)

You may wish to re-read the article, Bradley.
KM April 15, 2020 (1:54 pm)

Does SPD fix potholes now? They would be the ones handing out tickets (in theory) to speeders, not SDOT.

John April 15, 2020 (12:32 pm)

Confusing statement. Some restricted lights remain on but the camera enforcement turned off. Two questions: Are drivers required to reduce speed to 20 in the active light zones?And will the non-camera areas with lights activated be enforced?

Barb April 15, 2020 (2:24 pm)

It’s perfectly clear to me. Please take the time to read the entire announcement before trying to find something to complain about.
- john April 15, 2020 (7:14 pm)
  
  OK BARB, I have red the entire piece and am still stumped?Please help me with the answers neither which is directly addressed.1. Are drivers required to reduce speed to 20 in the active light zones? Arterials, too?2. Will the non-camera areas with lights activated be enforced? It reads (vaguely) in ‘effect’, but makes no mention of enforcement.
  - Carrie April 16, 2020 (7:50 am)
    
    Yes drivers are expected to follow the speed limit in school zones while children are present. You need someone to tell you whether to follow the speed limit?
    - Karen April 23, 2020 (2:45 pm)
      
      Children are not present and if they are they shouldn’t be according to the ‘stay at home’ order. So WHEN kids are present then yes you must obey the speed limit. However, those light should be turned off now since school is out for the remainder of the year and no one should be ticketed.They don’t leave them on in the summer do they? Kids are pretest then. Kids and adults alike should be obeying street signs and using crosswalks as usual and if the kids are too young, parents should be with them teaching them how to cross a street

Jort April 15, 2020 (1:34 pm)

Why not just slow down? How sensitive are peoples’ feelings about going 10 mph slower for 200 yards? Is it that hard? Why does this trigger people so much?

D April 15, 2020 (1:52 pm)

City council members: if drivers are speeding to the point of it being reckless, please GIVE THEM A TICKET!!! Turning on the flashing lights will only confuse everyone and train people to ignore the flashing lights

Rumbles April 15, 2020 (3:06 pm)

@D – Perhaps you should try a “re-read” of the article, this time without your angry eyes. Most notably the first sentence that references the times the lights are on, kids are coming to the schools for food during that time.

HP Resident April 16, 2020 (6:59 am)

We live 1 block off the stretch of Sylvan way impacted by the WS Elementary school lights and am thankful for them to be on! We walk and drive that stretch frequently (essential workers) and the increased traffic from the bridge closure has been crazy! People are also going way faster through that narrow stretch where people are making left turns and crossing on foot. Please slow down (all the time) to keep us and our kids safe!