Henderson updates speed limit signs near all schools

By Conor Shine

Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 | 2 a.m.

New signs around Henderson will tweak the rules of the road in an effort to get drivers to slow down around schools.

The city is changing about 500 speed limit signs at its elementary, middle and high schools.

The new signs state that a reduced speed limit applies “When children are present,” as opposed to current signs, which spell out specific times of day the regulation applies.

The change will bring Henderson in line with other parts of the valley that use the newer signs. City spokeswoman Kathleen Richards said the switch to new signs will cost $20,000 initially, but will save the city $10,000 annually because it won’t have to replace signs if school schedules change.

The lowered speed limit is in effect from 30 minutes before school starts until 30 minutes after classes let out, Richards said.

“It gets kind of confusing because people don’t always know when school starts,” she said. “Basically, when you see a lot of children, slow down if it’s during the school day.”

Drivers are also required to slow down if children are in a school-zone crosswalk.

“Any time of the day, day or night, if you see kids crossing the street you need to slow down to the posted speed,” Richards said.

Flashing yellow lights that mark school zones will still be used, but it will be possible for someone to get a ticket if they’re speeding when children are present, even if the lights aren’t flashing, Richards said.

The new signs started appearing at schools in March in the eastern part of Henderson and are slowly working their way west. The project is scheduled to be finished by December.

For more information, visit the city’s informational page on the signs .