Pedestrian safety takes another step forward with an emphasis on protecting our kids. It was a joyous atmosphere outside Rockdale Academy to celebrate two years of hard work to combat drivers speeding outside the school. “Many people drive down the street like it’s an expressway and it’s not. We’re a school zone and that has been ignored until now,” said Principal Dr. Jaren Finney.Finney said 90% of students walk to school every day.They want those steps to be safe ones.The city helped research the issue. “We put up some radar ahead of time in the couple weeks before and what we found where there were 76% of cars going over the speed limit,” said Cincinnati City Council Member Mark Jeffreys.Their solution? Bump outs.These concrete structures create pinch points, forcing cars to slow down.”Think about these bump outs as you drive down an alleyway. When you drive down an alleyway, it’s narrow, right, and what do you do? Inevitably, you slow down,” Jeffreys said.Students are helping them stand out to drivers by painting bright murals on them.It’s a colorful reminder that the 20 miles per hour speed limit is to protect young faces.”They be speeding, looking at their phone and all that,” said fifth-grader Brandon Tolliver. “It could cause an accident or people might get hit,” said fifth-grader Myloh Chambers.Three sets of bump outs now line Rockdale Avenue right in front of the school to help protect the next generation.”Especially a community like Avondale where the majority of kids walk to school. They need a safe way to get there so they can learn,” Jeffreys said.City officials said this is a pilot program they hope to expand to other Cincinnati schools.Jeffreys said bump outs, like what were installed, would typically cost $80,000. They were able to do it for $10,000.
Pedestrian safety takes another step forward with an emphasis on protecting our kids.
It was a joyous atmosphere outside Rockdale Academy to celebrate two years of hard work to combat drivers speeding outside the school.
“Many people drive down the street like it’s an expressway and it’s not. We’re a school zone and that has been ignored until now,” said Principal Dr. Jaren Finney.
Finney said 90% of students walk to school every day.
They want those steps to be safe ones.
The city helped research the issue.
“We put up some radar ahead of time in the couple weeks before and what we found where there were 76% of cars going over the speed limit,” said Cincinnati City Council Member Mark Jeffreys.
Their solution? Bump outs.
These concrete structures create pinch points, forcing cars to slow down.
“Think about these bump outs as you drive down an alleyway. When you drive down an alleyway, it’s narrow, right, and what do you do? Inevitably, you slow down,” Jeffreys said.
Students are helping them stand out to drivers by painting bright murals on them.
It’s a colorful reminder that the 20 miles per hour speed limit is to protect young faces.
“They be speeding, looking at their phone and all that,” said fifth-grader Brandon Tolliver.
“It could cause an accident or people might get hit,” said fifth-grader Myloh Chambers.
Three sets of bump outs now line Rockdale Avenue right in front of the school to help protect the next generation.
“Especially a community like Avondale where the majority of kids walk to school. They need a safe way to get there so they can learn,” Jeffreys said.
City officials said this is a pilot program they hope to expand to other Cincinnati schools.
Jeffreys said bump outs, like what were installed, would typically cost $80,000. They were able to do it for $10,000.
