Police are watching for speeders at school sites, and drivers caught speeding in a school zone face a stiff fine this year, said Chief Chad Bowles.
The Legislature passed a law against speeding in school areas, he said. "The Legislature requested and encouraged law enforcement to increase patrols and issue citations in school zones."The Nephi Police Department has responded to the request, he said, and has posted two cars at school sites in the community each morning. One is stationed at the high school and middle school and the other at Nephi Elementary, he said.
Speeds in the school zones are 25 mph, except for the area of the flashing light, he said. In that area, speed is reduced to 20 mph. Streets affected by the 20 mph limit are the blocks around the elementary school and the blocks on 100 North, where the school safety sign and the crossing guard are located.
"So far, we have issued about 10 citations," said Bowles. "We have issued a lot of warnings. But that is about to change. We are going to get a lot tougher," he said.
Parents, some teachers and a few students leave home at the last possible minute and then try to make up the time on the roadways. "Parents and teachers need to set an example," he said.
"The teenagers are less problem than the adults," he added.