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It seems nonsensical to have an “End School Zone” sign followed so closely by a photo-enforced school zone camera, as shown in this image from southbound Union Ave NE.
When I was on City Council I used to let Public Works know when I saw confusing signage, and I’m not going to stop doing it now. The arrangement on southbound Union Ave NE that puts an “End School Zone” sign right before a school zone with a speed camera seems like a definite mixed-message.
Any motorist trying to accelerate to the posted speed limit of 30 MPH in this gap will have to immediately hit the brakes to avoid a ticket. And they’ll make these speed changes passing through the intersection with NE 10th Street, where their variable speed will be confusing for drivers turning onto Union.
Every sign diverts drivers eyes and attention from the road for a second or two, which is enough time to travel 20 or 30 feet at the posted speed limit. Diverting drivers’ attention from the road, and making it confusing, is especially undesirable in areas around schools.
In short, it seems like it would be a good idea to merge the two school zones.
This confusing signage could be a result of an Arizona contractor, American Traffic Solutions. They install and operate Renton’s speed and red-light cameras, in exchange for a cut of the revenue from traffic fines. Even if they are the ones that engineered this, the City of Renton should take a look at it, and see if the configuration really makes sense.
(I’ve spurred other fixes to photo enforcement cameras, like this one at McKnight Middle School. )
The “End School Zone” sign is posted right before the intersection with NE 10th Street. Half a block further south the school zone camera tickets drivers for not observing the Honey Dew school zone.
WTF?!! It says END SCHOOL ZONE right before the speed camera? Is this even legal?
I noticed similarly confusing signage on Benson Rd South, with the exception that it doesn’t have a camera, just flashing lights. But there is a sign that says end school zone and then immediately another school zone sign, I can’t even tell which schools they are for or when I’m actually in a school zone.
Thanks KJ. I’ll check out the Benson Road South signage next time I’m there. It sounds like it could also be improved.
The signage is often associated with a school crosswalk, but the state law makes it sound like it has to be fairly proximate to the school. Below is a state law that sets school zone speeds:
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RCW 46.61.440
Maximum speed limit when passing school or playground crosswalks—Penalty, disposition of proceeds.
(1) Subject to RCW 46.61.400(1), and except in those instances where a lower maximum lawful speed is provided by this chapter or otherwise, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to operate the same at a speed in excess of twenty miles per hour when operating any vehicle upon a highway either inside or outside an incorporated city or town when passing any marked school or playground crosswalk when such marked crosswalk is fully posted with standard school speed limit signs or standard playground speed limit signs. The speed zone at the crosswalk shall extend three hundred feet in either direction from the marked crosswalk.
(2) A county or incorporated city or town may create a school or playground speed zone on a highway bordering a marked school or playground, in which zone it is unlawful for a person to operate a vehicle at a speed in excess of twenty miles per hour. The school or playground speed zone may extend three hundred feet from the border of the school or playground property; however, the speed zone may only include area consistent with active school or playground use.
(3) A person found to have committed any infraction relating to speed restrictions within a school or playground speed zone shall be assessed a monetary penalty equal to twice the penalty assessed under RCW 46.63.110. This penalty may not be waived, reduced, or suspended.
(4) School districts may erect signs that comply with the uniform state standards adopted and designated by the department of transportation under RCW 47.36.030, informing motorists of the increased monetary penalties assessed for violations of RCW 46.61.235, 46.61.245, or 46.61.261 within a school, playground, or crosswalk speed zone created under subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
(5) The school zone safety account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Fifty percent of the moneys collected under subsection (3) of this section and the moneys collected under RCW 46.61.235(5), 46.61.245(2), or 46.61.261(2) shall be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only by the Washington traffic safety commission solely to fund projects in local communities to improve school zone safety, pupil transportation safety, and student safety in school bus loading and unloading areas. Only the director of the traffic safety commission or the director’s designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures until July 1, 1999, after which date moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.