News Summary
The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works is enhancing safety in school zones with new roadway markings and activated beacons, following Louisiana Senate Bill 99. The initiative includes 24-inch yellow transverse stripes and 1-foot-tall white lettering marking school zone areas. School zone beacons will also flash during active hours to alert drivers. This project aims to improve traffic safety for students and comply with new state mandates. Activation of automated traffic cameras will follow installation completion, addressing recent resident concerns over enforcement communication.
New Orleans – The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works is set to enhance safety for students in school zones by implementing new roadway markings and activating school zone beacons, following Louisiana Senate Bill 99 (Act 107) that took effect on August 1. This initiative aims to address traffic safety concerns around schools and comply with the new state mandate that requires specific signage for the protection of students.
The newly mandated safety features include the installation of 24-inch yellow transverse stripes at the start of school zones. These markings will be positioned at the school zone sign and approximately 200 feet before the zone begins. In addition to the transverse stripes, the Department of Public Works will also incorporate 1-foot-tall white letters displaying either “ENTERING SCHOOL ZONE” or “SCHOOL ZONE AHEAD,” depending on the specific location of the zone.
Alongside these new markings, the city will activate school zone beacons on Monday, which are lights that will flash to indicate active school zone hours. These beacons are designed to increase visibility and alert drivers when children are present in the area. Unlike previously used city-wide enforcement times, the new school zone enforcement will correspond with individual school hours. This tailored approach is expected to improve safety by ensuring that signs and signals are only active when schools are in session.
While the automated traffic enforcement cameras installed in these areas are not currently operational, they will be activated following the completion of the striping work. Drivers are encouraged to stay alert during the installation phase, and the Department of Public Works appreciates the community’s patience as this crucial safety enhancement project unfolds.
The implementation of these new safety features follows reports of confusion among residents regarding speed enforcement in school zones. Recently, a resident received a $160 ticket for speeding during the newly set enforcement hours, raising concerns about adequate communication of the changes. Some residents noted issues with the proper functioning of flashing lights at school zones, which further complicates adherence to the new regulations.
In order to avoid potential misunderstandings, the city has indicated that not all locations equipped with flashing beacons will serve as warning systems unless they are operational when violations occur. Key adjustments in the operation times were not thoroughly communicated to the public prior to the activation of enforcement, which has led to dissatisfaction among some community members.
The Department of Public Works has encouraged residents to reach out with any inquiries regarding the new safety measures. For more information, residents can contact the Department of Public Works at 504-658-8000.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to improve traffic safety within the city and protect vulnerable populations, particularly school children. As these new measures are implemented, feedback from residents and accurate enforcement practices will be crucial to ensure the effectiveness of the new safety regulations in New Orleans.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 8 Live: New Orleans School Zone Markings
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- WDSU: New Orleans School Zone Striping
- Google Search: Traffic safety in New Orleans
- WWL TV: School Zone Beacons in New Orleans
- Google Scholar: School traffic safety
- Axios: School Zone Camera Revenue
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic safety
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
