Editorial: School is in session; slow down in school zones

The Back to School Picnic hosted by Williams Elementary-Middle School Principal Rachel Savage was enjoyed by many Thursday evening. It was refreshing to see students and parents interacting and becoming acquainted with teachers and school staff in a relaxed setting. This was the first time such an event has been offered to students and parents, and we hope it is not the last.

School is officially in session and we all must slow down in school zones. The Williams Police Department will be monitoring school zones heavily and will be citing anyone exceeding the speed limit in school zones.

The maximum speed from the first sign to the last sign in a school zone is 15 mph.

School zones are clearly marked with a permanent five-sided sign on the side of roadways. These signs warn drivers that children may be crossing at any time. Portable signs placed in the center of roadways must be obeyed. Passing another vehicle while in a school crossing zone is prohibited.

According to the National Safety Council, one third of the 90,000 pedestrians killed or injured annually are school-aged children. Many of these children were hit within a school zone. Let's do all we can to keep our children safe. Slow down in school zones.