Councilman Claude Mattox's Monthly Newsletter Column October 2007
Drive safe around schools
There are more than 450 schools in the greater Phoenix area with hundreds of students at each site walking to and from school daily. With this many youth utilizing city streets there is a need for drivers to be extra cautious around school zones. This problem is especially bad on major arterial streets and we’ve had crosswalk guards and kids run over by irresponsible drivers.
In 1950, Phoenix was the first city in the country to adopt 15 mph zones around schools. You have probably been affected by this slow traffic zone on your way to work or while driving around the city. Although driving 15 mph may seem like a burden or hold up your commute, I cannot stress enough how important it is to abide by the signs that tell you when you need to decrease speed and then where the slow zone ends.
There are 1,700 school-related crosswalks in Phoenix and a population that continues to increase. Part of keeping our children safe is outreach and this is why I ask you to pay close attention when you enter a school zone. Keep a watchful eye for youngsters crossing the street who may not look both ways first. This is the whole idea behind the adoption of the low speed limit in school areas - less pedestrian-youth accidents.
The school zone speed limit was implemented to encourage students to walk to school and for parents to feel comfortable knowing that the area around the school is safeguarded against speeding traffic. Children are encouraged to walk to school for three reasons:
1) Walking and bicycling is healthier
2) Less traffic means less congestion around schools
3) Less driving reduces pollution and emissions
Protecting children who walk or ride a bike to and from schools from traffic accidents is referred to as the three E’s:
1) Engineering - crosswalks, signs, sidewalk improvements, bikeways
2) Education - students and drivers learn about safety, and walking and bicycling are encouraged
3) Enforcement - Photo radar, police presence
The city of Phoenix is involved in the state’s Safe Routes to Schools program, a collaborative effort involving parents, community leaders, school staff, city planners, children, law enforcement representatives and others.
Please join me in the effort to keep kids safe by paying attention to the 15 mph speed limit in school zones and always keep an eye out or them. Slowing down that extra 10 mph may seem like a delay in your day, but you are ensuring the safety of hundreds of children commuting to school. School zone safety is important to our community so please watch the road and remember to slow down.
If you have questions or comments about this or any other topic or issue, call Councilman Mattox’s office at 602-262-7446 or send an e-mail to council.district.5@phoenix.gov.