The Snohomish County Public Works Department is clarifying exactly what drivers must do in school zones just in time for the start of the new school year.
In most places in the county, the speed limit has always been 20 mph in school zones when children are present.
But in locations near Marysville and Lake Stevens, the county had been testing “time zone” signs at the request of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
In 2000, Sheriff Rick Bart asked that the county experiment with new signs that better protect kids during school hours, saying that too many motorists were ignoring the “when children present” part of the traditional school zone sign.
The county switched out 24 signs in the Marysville and Lake Stevens area.
The signs required drivers to slow down to 20 mph between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on school days.
It’s not clear if the new signs worked better or not, but they’re no longer needed now that the Legislature has clarified exactly what “when children are present means,” said Wayne Lee, a spokesman for the Public Works Department.
According to the law the passed in March 2003 “when children are present” means you must slow down when kids are:
* In a marked crosswalk.
* Waiting at the curb or on the shoulder of the road and are about to cross the roadway by way of the marked crosswalk.
* Present or walking along the roadway, either on the sidewalk or on the shoulder within 300 feet of the speed limit sign.
If you have questions, call 425-388-6443.
Lee said all 28 signs will be in place this week, and added that the cost will only be $315.
So make it easy on yourself – if you see a kid walking near a school, slow down to 20 mph. Maybe you’ll save a life.
With school starting in most places this week, it’s time to remember to watch out for kids crossing the road everywhere you drive, not just schools.
More ribbon magnets
Nicole Burns wants readers to know that anyone who wants to buy a “support our troops” magnet for their car while also contributing to care packages that will be sent to troops serving in Iraq can call her or visit her at work.
She sells small ones for $2 and larger ones for $4. All the profits go to the goodie bags that are being sent overseas.
You can find her working at the 7-Eleven just off I-5 in Smokey Point (Exit 208), or by calling her at 360-403-4851.
“This is very important,” she said.
The option for buying yellow ribbon magnets listed in this column last week was at cost only, with no money going to the troops.
She said Petal Patch and Nadine’s All-American Restaurant are also selling the magnets. Petal Patch is in Arlington and Nadine’s is in Smokey Point.
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