In a continuing effort to keep local students safe during the school day, the Kent Police Department has partnered with the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission to purchase and install flashing signals for school zones located throughout the city.
Funding for these high-visibility signals comes from a state traffic safety grant and will pay for school zone flashing lights, lighting hardware, computer software, signs and markings, according to a Kent Police media release.
There are currently seven school zones using these enhanced devices.
This grant will expand that network to include East Hill, Glenridge and Springbrook Elementary schools. Installation is scheduled for completion by May.
Kent Police, the city public works engineering division and the Kent School District transportation department worked together to prioritize elementary school zones in need of flashing lights.
School zones alert drivers, save lives, and prevent serious injuries. They are located in close proximity to elementary schools around the city and are intended to provide safe access routes for students.
Reduced speed limits are one of the tools used to increase safety in school zones. These flashing signals will augment the reduced speed limit by providing a visual cue that alerts drivers to the reduced speed limit.
It is the goal of the police to keep children safe on their way to and from school. For that reason, motorists should be mindful of the 20 mph school zone speed limit whenever they’re in the area of an elementary school and watch for the flashing lights.
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