signs for school
School crosswalks help students safely navigate busy roads to get to and from class. But without proper attention from drivers, these crossings can be dangerous places for pedestrians to be. In this article, we’ll explore some of the specific signs used to alert drivers that children are nearby and that they should slow down, watch for kids, and obey any signals from crossing guards.
The director with respect to state highways, the board of supervisors for county highways or their designee with respect to city or town streets, by and with the advice of the school district governing board may mark or cause to be marked by the department or local authorities, crosswalks in front of each school building and on all other locations abutting the locations where children are required to cross the highway or street.
Crosswalk markings should be clearly visible and made of a high-visibility material such as bright paint or a more durable plastic or epoxy material embedded with reflective glass beads to improve visibility at night or in low-light conditions. The width of the marking should be at least six feet wide, but wider crosswalks are advisable where frequent use occurs or to facilitate the movement of larger groups of pedestrians.
Are there any specific signs for school crosswalks?
Crosswalks should be located on straightaway roads with few nearby bends so that drivers have plenty of time to adjust their driving to account for pedestrians and to see the markings. They should also be well-lit to increase their visibility and be monitored by a crossing guard or a school official. The crosswalks themselves should be painted a highly visible color such as bright yellow or white and should be a minimum of six feet wide at all crossing locations. They should be checked annually for the condition of the markings, including for wear and tear or damage that might require repainting or other repairs.
Schools should also post clear, bright School Signs to alert drivers that children will be walking on the road nearby and that they should be prepared to stop or yield when approached. These signs can be combined with flashing yellow lights to indicate that a school is about to open or let out for the day, further encouraging increased vigilance by all involved.
When children are present, drivers are always required to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and at all signal controlled intersections. School Crossing warning signs, however, are used to identify locations on designated School Walk Routes that are not located at a signalized intersection and that may have special emphasis due to factors such as the number of school children using the crossings, geometry of the approaching roadways, approach speed, and traffic volume. They can also be used at other uncontrolled pedestrian crossings where children frequently traverse the road. These types of signs typically feature a pentagon-shaped School Crossing sign with a separate downward-pointing arrow plaque below it to indicate the location where school children commonly cross the road.