Nichols warns speeders to slow down in school zones

Palestine Chief of Police Jeff Nichols is warning motorists to reduce their speeds in school zones in the Palestine-Wheatley School District or risk getting a ticket. School will resume Tuesday for PW students who have been on spring break this week. Nichols said that after receiving complaints about speeders, he decided to make it a priority to focus on school zones. "I have received multiple complaints about people flying through our school zones at 50 or 60 miles per hour in Palestine," said Nichols. "We have stopped a few and warned a few but it is just not slowing it down a whole lot. We are about to have to start writing some citations to start slowing it down. We are not out to write speeding tickets, it is just the safety of the kids that we are worried about." Nichols explained that while the school zones are not continuous through town, drivers should be cognizant of where each zone starts and stops. "To be reminded, the school zone starts on Highway 70 around County Road 843 if you are traveling eastbound," said Nichols. "It starts right at the First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas building if you are traveling westbound. The speed zones do stop between schools, but please be cognizant of where it starts and stops. We are mainly concerned about the area in front of each campus." According to Nichols, school zones are active as long as students are on campus, including for after-school activities such as sporting events. "These school zones are active from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., on school days, or any time that children are present," said Nichols. "This does include ballgames. Most school functions and after-school activities are done by 5 p.m., except for games. It is 25 miles-per-hour through these zones. We just want people to be safe when traveling through these areas.” Nichols said that in the future, he would like to see flashing yellow lights on school zone signs whenever school is in session. "Be vigilant," said Nichols. "These are children we are talking about and we want them safe and taken care of. There is a lot of traffic coming in and out of the high school and elementary school campuses throughout the day as well. Luckily, we haven't had any instances of accidents and we are trying to keep it that way. I would like to see, in Palestine, the same system that Earle has in place – flashing yellow lights on school zone signs, when school is in session, to make sure people are aware they are entering a school zone." Nichols said this is not an attempt by Palestine to become a speed trap, but instead the need to put the safety of students at the forefront of drivers’ minds. "I want to reiterate that we are not trying to generate any revenue from this," said Nichols. "We are not trying to turn into a speed trap. We just cannot be taken advantage of. We are looking out for the safety of our students and what is best for them as well. Moving through these school zones at 50 or 60 miles per hour is unsafe and unacceptable."

Nichols warns speeders to slow down in school zones

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