FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                 July 27, 2007

CARY TOWN COUNCIL APPROVES INCREASED SAFETY INITIATIVES FOR SCHOOL ZONES

Flashing signs, lower speeds and increased collaboration with Wake County Schools part of improved measures

CARY, NC – At last night’s regular meeting, the Cary Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance amendment and policy that will provide for lower speed limits in school zones and a $260,000 appropriation to install signs and warning measures; also, the Council directed Town staff to coordinate with Wake County Public Schools System (WCPSS) to increase the incorporation of safety measures into plans for new schools.  The changes follow the Town’s in-depth review of safety around public schools throughout Cary following two automobile crashes involving students in 2006.  The study revealed inconsistencies in how school street safety was managed from school to school.

As a result of the Council’s action, school speed limit zones are being established at each of Cary ’s 22 public schools.  Speed limits in school zones will be at least 10 mph lower than regular posted speeds with no speeds lower than 25 miles per hour; school zone speeds will be in effect 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after school hours.  To heighten awareness of the school zone speeds, new signs with flashing lights will be installed at the zones, with the flashers operating just before, during, and just after school to alert drivers that the special speed limits are in effect.

Since many schools are on state-maintained roads, the Town will be working with N.C. Department of Transportation to install the new signs, which Town officials hope to begin installing this fall.

“We believe that these changes will go a long way in helping to ensure that our children can come and go from school in a very safe environment,” said Cary Police Chief Scott Cunningham.  “The safety of our children is priceless, and the value of these measures will prove to be very beneficial as we move forward with our continuing support of the Wake County Public School System.”

The Cary Council also directed the Town’s Police, Fire, Planning and Engineering staffs to work with the WCPSS to include pedestrian safety features into the site and design development of new schools.  Collaboration with the WCPSS is beginning now with the new school being constructed on the Hawes Tract in west Cary .

For more, visit www.townofcary.org.

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