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  1. #1

    Default What's the Definition of a School Zone

    My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Washington

    I'm looking for the Washington State Legal Definition of a "School Zone".
    I'm looking to determine if a school has to be operational for a school zone to be enforced.
    I've googled and can not find a clear definition.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Snohomish, WA
    Posts
    1,588

    Default Re: Definition of a School Zone, Wa State

    The answer is: It depends. It depends on the school zone signs and/or flashing lights, presence of children, etc. The easiest way to determine this would be to post the date and time, and exactly where this occurred so that we can see what the signs say, if there are lights, if the zone is in effect only during certain hours, etc.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    53

    Default Re: Definition of a School Zone, Wa State

    WAC 468-95-330:

    School speed limit assembly (S4-1, S4-2, S4-3, S4-4, S5-1).

    Pursuant to RCW 46.61.440, the first Guidance in MUTCD Section 7B.11 is replaced with a Standard to read:

    Applicable to state highways, county roads, or city streets, the reduced school or playground speed zone shall extend for 300 feet in either direction from the marked crosswalk when the marked crosswalk is fully posted with standard school speed limit signs or standard playground speed limit signs.

    Applicable to county roads or city streets, the school or playground speed zone may extend up to 300 feet from the border of the school or playground property when fully posted with standard school speed limit signs or standard playground speed limit signs. However, the speed zone may only include the area consistent with active school or playground use.

    No school or playground speed zone may extend less than 300 feet from a marked school or playground crosswalk, but may extend by traffic regulation beyond 300 feet based on a traffic and engineering investigation.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Definition of a School Zone, Wa State

    When you first come into the school zone there is a posted S4-2P (Speed Limit 20, when children are present) and then as you approach the middle of the school zone there is a cross walk with a S4-4p (Speed Limit 20, When Flashing).
    ~the lights were not flashing.
    ~it was 12:07pm on a Monday.
    ~the school has been shut down for almost a year.
    ~there were no children present.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    3,577

    Default Re: Definition of a School Zone, Wa State

    Remember one thing: it matters LITTLE what YOU think -- it only matters what the officer wrote in his/her sworn statement. If that statement says that the lights WERE flashing, the court will believe they were. If that statement says there WERE children present, the court will believe there were. And just because the school is no longer in use, doesn't mean the "playground" is not used. If I were you, I'd contest the ticket and file a discovery request to see -- exactly -- what the officer says, then go from there.

    Barry

  6. #6

    Default Re: Definition of a School Zone, Wa State

    Barry,
    Its a camera ticket which includes online video showing that there are no children present inside the school zone or lights flashing.
    No officer involved, just a robot with a flash.

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