Carson City summer school zone leads to communication issues between schools, law enforcement, and public
Submitted by Arianna Schmidt on Sat, 07/03/2021 - 2:00pm
Rolling message board signs recently seen on King and Mountain streets warning motorists to slow down for 15 mph school zones have led to confusion about whether or not these zones are being enforced differently this summer than they have been in previous years.
Adding to the confusion is the fact that, according to motorists, the times the zones are in operation are not consistent, occurring at different times and days throughout the week.
The regular school year has been out of session for summer break for almost a month; however, temporary rolling message boards have been flashing an additional school zone on King and Mountain streets since school let out.
Sean Palamar, a Deputy Sheriff with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, said the rolling school zone signs are in effect on King Street and Mountain Street due to summer schools being in session at Bordewich Bray and Fritsch Elementary Schools, which began on June 7.
Rolling signs are being deployed only in random places where a summer school zone may need enforcement, which is confusing for motorists who may not be aware of their speed in these areas and risk being pulled over by law enforcement.
Palamar stated he was not aware of any public statement the Carson City Sheriff’s Office had made to inform the public on these school zone enforcement signs.
“As far as I know, the school zones are staying in effect as long as summer school is (in session), as long as kids are there,” Palamar said. “The high school had summer school for a little while, so we were enforcing it down there.”
The school zone signage along the length of Saliman Road, including permanent flashing signs and pedestrian crosswalks, is able to be turned off and on when necessary, such as during high volumes of pedestrian traffic in the mornings and afternoons.
Additionally, flashing school zone signs are enforced on Fairview Drive near Empire Elementary strictly before and after school; not all day.
Palamar said enforcement has now moved to King and Mountain streets near the schools. These temporary school zone signs have been seen enforcing speed limits all day, however, not just mornings and afternoons when children may be present on the street.
“If the rolling signs are out there, that kind of gives people a hint, like ‘Hey, school zone, slow down, there’s still kids here’,” Palamar said.
Summer school sessions at Bordewich also concluded on Friday, June 25, but the rolling signs are still on the streets. Calendars for both Bordewich and Fritsch Elementary schools have not been updated to reflect the summer school dates on their websites.
In 1992, school zones within the Carson City School District were set by the Board of Supervisors, and weren’t revisited for nearly 30 years. The zones included motorist speed enforcements before and after school during high volumes of pedestrian traffic.
In June 2020, the board adopted a resolution to re-design school zones in an effort to improve traffic safety at and around certain schools. Included in the resolution was Pioneer High School, both middle schools, and Fritsch Elementary School.
The resolution efforts were approved and set into place in October 2020, including school zone enforcement 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday when school is in session.
A mutual understanding about school zones enforcements between the school district and Sheriff’s Office seem unclear, as the signs are still enforcing despite summer school being out for several days.
According to Meg Ragonese, Public Information Officer for the Nevada Department of Transportation, school zones are established as a collaboration between the local school district, law enforcement and public works.
Ragonese said drivers should know that school zone traffic laws are in effect and enforceable no matter the time of year when school zone traffic lights are flashing.
Whether on wheels or two feet, traffic safety is a shared responsibility. Over and above time-honored safety tips to be attentive and share the road, NDOT reminds community members to follow these school zone traffic safety laws:
- Per state law, vehicles may not make u-turns or pass other vehicles, even on multi-lane roadways, when in an active school zone or school crossing zone.
- Stop for/do not pass school buses stopping to pick up or let students out.
- Per state law, drivers may not stop, stand or park a vehicle on or within 20 feet of a crosswalk to enable better visibility of persons crossing.
More information on Nevada traffic safety laws can be found here.
