School zone flasher change

Walla Walla school zone flashers operate during peak travel periods
This fall, motorists will notice that the school zone flashers alerting them to the 20 mph speed limit will only be operating before school, during lunch and after school. In the past, school zone flashers operated from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. This change was made by the City of Walla Walla following a recommendation from the district’s School Zone Safety Team.

“Our research revealed running flashers all day results in diminishing effectiveness,” said Ki Bealey, City of Walla Walla Public Works Director. “Also, solar powered school zone flashers are generally not suitable to operate nine hours a day, especially during the winter months.”

Several other cities and school districts around the state have adopted similar strategies. Targeting times for school zone flashers is also endorsed by the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission.

“The goal of this recommendation is to provide the greatest clarity to drivers and thereby attain the highest level of compliance at the most crucial travel periods for kids to and from school,” Bealey said.

Flasher Operation Times - 20 mph Speed Limit:
• Flasher operation in the morning – 30 minutes prior to start (bell) until 10 minutes after start (bell)
• Flasher operation during lunch – 30 minutes prior to start of lunch until 10 minutes after lunch
• Flasher operation in the afternoon – 10 minutes prior to release until 30 minutes after release
(The same standards apply for early release times)

School Zone Signage
• If no flashers are present, then school zones shall be signed, “When Children are Present,” in accordance with WAC 46895335. The 20 mile per hour speed limit is in force under any of the following conditions:
1. School children are occupying or walking within the marked crosswalk
2. School children are waiting at the curb or the shoulder of the roadway by the marked crosswalk
3. School children are present walking along the roadway, either on the adjacent sidewalk or, in the absence of sidewalks, on the shoulder within the posted speed limit

• If flashers are present, then the school zones shall be signed, “When Flashing.”