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Question of the Week: How fast to go near Rosedale Middle Sc
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Posted by lward Mon Nov 8, 2004 13:23:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Here is a question that has plagued me since my retirement to the Northwest about a year ago. I have asked several people and have gotten about that many different answers.

I drive to town about three times a week, usually during the week. I pass Rosedale Middle School and have to wonder what the legal rule is for speed in the area of the school zone. This is Rosedale Highway, also known as CA State Highway 58. As such, it is obviously under the care, custody, and control of the California Highway Patrol. There are signs that state the speed limit at 25 miles per hour while children are present. I have to assume that children are present at least any time school is in session. There are flashing amber/yellow lights that may be on or off at any given time of day.

Here is where the confusion begins. I have seen children in the area with cars slowing to 25 mph at times and going 50-plus at other times. I have seen the amber lights flashing with cars slowing to 25 mph at times and going 50-plus at other times. I have seen no lights or children in sight, but during school hours, with cars going 25 at times and 50-plus at other times. Usually it is the large highway trucks that slow down while autos zip through the area with little or no regard for the flashing lights or signs.

Today was the topper. Most cars had slowed to the usual decreased speed of somewhere between 30 and 45 mph when a large pickup truck with three youngsters came barreling through traffic, zig-zagging through the maze of autos at a breakneck speed that I will estimate at 60-plus mph.

From time to time, I will see a sheriff's car parked alongside the traffic area and EVERYBODY slows down to the posted speed. As soon as the law enforcement leaves, the traffic resumes to the hodgepodge of interpretations of what speed is required in that area.

You or others may have addressed this issue many times in the past. However, in the interest of safety and legalities for the large influx of newcomers to the Northwest, I would like to have an official printing of what is required to safely and legally pass through the Rosedale Middle School highway zone. At what times are the rules in effect? How about weekends when children are at the school for sports events, etc?

Respectfully submitted,
A. Bulygo, recent Northwest Transplant

Great question!

According to CHP Officer Greg Williams, his office gets a lot of calls on the subject. "There's always a misconception on the subject, and it needs to be cleared up -- just because there are flashing lights does not constitute a school zone. The flashing lights are warning lights advising people that they are approaching a school zone," said Williams, who added that the lights are mostly to caution out-of-towners who aren't familiar with the area.

"Rosedale Middle School is located on a state highway and we get a lot of people coming in from out of the country going down I-5, cutting across 58, etc. Just because there are lights does not necessarily mean there is a school zone in effect, and they're on periodically," said Williams.

Williams said the district has control over when the lights are on, not the department, and they often flash "with no rhyme or reason."

So how fast should you go?

If children are going to and from school in the morning or afternoon -- 25 mph. At any other time, even if lights are flashing, the legal speed is as posted -- 50 mph. The legal speed on weekends is 50 mph regardless of special events at the school.

For those interested in the detail of the law. here are the California Vehicle Codes regarding school zones and flashing yellows:

CVC22352(B)
When approaching or passing a school building or the grounds thereof, contiguous to a highway and posted with a standard "SCHOOL"warning sign, while children are going to or leaving the school either during school hours or during the noon recess period. The prima facie limit shall also apply when approaching or passing any school grounds which are not separated from the highway by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier while the grounds are in use by children and the highway is posted with a standard "SCHOOL" warning sign. For purposes of this subparagraph, standard "SCHOOL" warning signs may be placed at any distance up to 500 feet away from school grounds.

CVC21457
Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow light is used in a traffic signal or with a traffic sign, it shall require obedience by drivers as follows:
(a) Flashing red (stop signal): When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, a driver shall stop at a clearly marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering it, and the driver may proceed subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
(b) Flashing yellow (caution signal): When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, a driver may proceed through the intersection or past the signal only with caution.

For more information contact Greg Williams at 864-4440.

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