Date:

August 16, 2007

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Shane Dostal or Scott Opfer, Public Works, 441-7711

Sergeant Dan Schmidt, Police Department, 441-6587

With school beginning Monday, August 20, Mayor Chris Beutler and Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) Superintendent Susan Gourley today reminded residents that all of us have a role to play in getting students to and from school safely. Two special efforts are planned:

• LPS and the City’s Public Works and Utilities Department and Police Department (LPD) are sponsoring the annual “Safe Walk and Safe Ride to School Night” from 6 to 7 p.m. this evening. All 25 mph school speed zones will be in operation.
• LPD will conduct its two-week “back to school” traffic enforcement project beginning Monday. Additional officers will be posted around schools to promote traffic and pedestrian safety.

“I am pleased that City departments work closely with our public and private schools to develop pick-up and drop-off plans and recommended walking routes to keep our kids safe,” said Beutler. “I urge families to stress the importance of safety with their children, and I urge motorists to be especially alert in school areas.”

“While parents have the primary role in getting children to and from school safely, it’s up to all of us to drive carefully,” said Gourley. “We appreciate the cooperation of the City in helping to establish an orderly traffic flow around schools and to develop walking routes that have traffic signals and marked crosswalks.”

Pedestrians are encouraged to walk, not run, when crossing streets. Motorists are encouraged to pay attention to the signage in school areas. (A list follows this release).

The voluntary one-way pick-up and drop-off driving plans and recommended walking routes are available from school principals; the LPS Web site at lps.org; and the City Web site at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: schools). If a plan has not been developed for your school, please contact the principal.

LPD has a “no tolerance” policy for enforcing the 25 mph school speed zones, and fines are doubled for speeding in these zones. The fines (not including court costs) for speeding in a 25 mph school speed zone are:

• $20 for traveling 1 to 5 mph over the speed limit
• $50 for traveling 6 to 10 mph over the speed limit
• $150 for traveling 11 to 15 mph over the speed limit
• $250 for traveling 16 to 20 mph over the speed limit
• $400 for traveling 21 mph or more over the speed limit

No Parking 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. School Days Loading Zone
These signs are installed in areas designated for picking up and dropping off students. Drivers can legally park in these areas for 10 minutes as long as they remain in their vehicles.

No Parking 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. School Days Bus Zone
These signs are installed in areas designated for school bus loading and unloading. Drivers should avoid using these areas when they are picking up or dropping off students.

No Stopping Anytime
These signs are installed in areas for safety reasons, and drivers should not stop in these areas to pick up or drop off students.

No Stopping 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. School Days or No Stopping 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. School Days
These signs are similar to the “No Stopping Anytime” signs except that they are only in effect during the times stated.

Authorized School Crossing
These signs are installed at locations where drivers should expect to see concentrations of children crossing the street. Crossings adjacent to schools also usually have “No Stopping Anytime” signs nearby to allow drivers to better see the children approaching or standing at the curb.