EPPD 'Obey School Zones Even Though Schools Are Closed'

As El Paso gets to work trying to get back to work, you might notice some things never change. One of those things is flashing school zone signs. I feel like for weeks I hadn't seen them lighting up and then all the sudden, I began noticing them on Mesa, Montana, and Edgemere near Burges High School. Schools have been closed for weeks so I wondered if EPISD had them on timers and they were flashing because the timers were still set for school days. I also wondered if someone could get a ticket if they didn't follow the school zone speed limit even though there were no kids in school.

I reached out to the El Paso Police Department to find out if we need to slow down in school zones. Here is their response:

As per the street department, flashing school signs are on timers. They have been left on at the request of the respective school districts to enhance traffic safety for any school related function, i.e. for campuses offering meals at no cost to students. As such those flashing school signs would indicate the prescribed speed limits are in effect and violators can be cited. In any case, best to err on the side of caution, and adhere to the posted speed limit. If there are concerns then it could be looked into further at a later time.

Students might not be in classes but there are still families picking up lunches and dinners at various schools throughout the city during business hours. As long as there is a school activity being held, school zones signs have to be followed. If students were attending summer school this year, the school zone signs would be flashing and would need to be followed.

The bottom line is, if you see a school zone sign flashing, you need to slow down or risk getting a ticket for speeding in a school zone.