Motorists Reminded To Not Speed In School Zones

Emily Wood, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Despite the colder weather, many students still walk to school. And despite the signs and flashing lights, police said drivers speed through school zones every day.

Oklahoma City police officers have issued more than 300 tickets to drivers speeding through school zones this school year alone. That's more than 100 violations a month.

"I can remember several occasions walking this way, and a car coming from that way and they just don't even pay attention to the crosswalks," said an Edmond North High School student. "They just, if it's green they go."

Most metro school zones have speed limits posted at 25 mph.

"By the time they see something and get their foot on the brake pedal it's too late," driving instructor Scott Merkley said.

Merkley said the speed limits are set low for a reason.

"If you're driving too fast in those areas and you're distracted and not paying attention, if anything surprises you, you're not going to have enough space to get that car stopped in time," Merkley said.

News 9 reporter Emily Wood tested the time it takes to make an emergency stop. She determined that at 25 mph it took 40 feet to stop, at 35 mph it took 75 feet to stop and at 45 mph it took 120 feet to stop.

"I just wish more people would pay attention more," an Edmond North High School student said.

Distracted driving is a problem in school districts around the state. Some of them, like Del City, are applying for grants to make their crosswalks safer. But police said it's really up to drivers to pay more attention in these areas.