Drivers in Nevada are going to have to follow some new rules of the road when passing through a school zone. Make U-turns or changing lanes to pass other vehicles will be illegal during active crossing times.
"I see U-turns in crosswalks and almost hitting kids and it's just not safe," said Jessica Fogal, a parent from Sparks.Â
Jessica Fogal picks up and drops off her children each day at Mendive Middle School. But the journey across the crosswalk concerns her, for good reason.Â
"We have too many accidents, especially with students versus vehicles within the school zones," said Officer MJ Cloud, with the Washoe County School District Police.Â
Last year Nevada enacted two laws to impact traffic in school zones. This week, they go into effect.Â
"Whether it's marked with a sign or not, it is illegal to make any U-turn within a school zone," said Cloud.Â
Other than preventing drivers from making U-turns in school zones, it's also against the law to pass another vehicle. For example, if a driver happens to stop to let a child cross, that means other cars might not see the student and they're going to just have to wait to pass.
"It's your due diligence as driver to slow down and use caution if there's not enough travel lane for you to pass that vehicle safely," said Cloud.Â
Law enforcement hopes these traffic laws will protect students walking to and from school. As a parent, Fogal says it gives her a peace of mind.Â
"It's good to have it because it helps with the safety for the kids. There's a lot of cars in the area at the time so it reduces accidents if people slow down and everybody is following the rules," said Fogal.Â
Now, officers will be issuing misdemeanor citations to motorists who violate the laws. Drivers who fail to obey the laws face fines topping $300 to $400 and points of their driver's license.
Cloud adds, "Keep our pedestrians, our students, our whole community safe."School zones are active when lights flash to indicate children are present, but each school has different start and end times.
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